The push for women’s ordination obscures a more radical reality: that women (all women!) are called by God to be priests…. just as are all men. Here’s what that means (and doesn’t) and the unique way in which ONLY women can live out this priestly consecration.
Tag: women’s ordination
Why Won’t the Church Ordain Women?
Women’s ordination has been in the news twice this week. The major story was that the Anglican Communion, which has allowed women to be ordained priests for some time now, has just announced that they will start ordaining female bishops. On this side of the Tiber, Boston’s Cardinal Sean O’Malley caused something of a stir… Continue reading Why Won’t the Church Ordain Women?
Women of the Bible and Holy Week
Salomon de Bray, Jael, Deborah and Barak (1635)(If you don’t know what the tent peg is for, read Judges 4-5) Sarah at A Beaten Copper Lamp of Deplorable Design, has a post on “Girl-Power Bible Movies,” in which she writes reviews of four different films about Old Testament heroines Ruth and Esther. I haven’t seen… Continue reading Women of the Bible and Holy Week
Does the Council of Nicea Reject Women’s Ordination to the Diaconate?
In yesterday’s post, I said that Canon 19 of the First Council of Nicea “ended any controversy” over whether or not women could be sacramentally ordained to the diaconate. In the comments, a few people protested that the broader context of the canon made it seem that the problem wasn’t that the would-be ordained were… Continue reading Does the Council of Nicea Reject Women’s Ordination to the Diaconate?
Can the Catholic Church Ordain Female Deacons?
I explained last week the basic reasons that the Catholic Church can’t ordain female priests. In response, Tess asks, Joe, what are the Catholic Church’s reasons for not allowing women to be permanent deaconesses? Deaconesses seem much more justifiable both scripturally and by early Tradition. Are different arguments used against them, or the same (ie that the Twelve were… Continue reading Can the Catholic Church Ordain Female Deacons?
Why Can’t the Catholic Church Ordain Women?
There’s been a lively discussion in the comments here amongst Anglican and Catholic readers. One of the Anglicans, TJH, offered eight reasons why his church ordains women: (1)Male and female are created in God’s image – both men and women can image God’s love and beauty; (2)The Blessed Virgin Mary conceived Jesus in her womb and the… Continue reading Why Can’t the Catholic Church Ordain Women?
Are Anglican Ordinations Valid?
This came up in the comments with Tess, an Anglo-Catholic with a love for the Catholic Church that I wish more Catholics shared. She mentioned that we Catholics reject the validity of female Anglican clergy. But the truth is: we Catholics reject the validity of all Anglican clergy. Let me explain why. Pope Leo XIII Back… Continue reading Are Anglican Ordinations Valid?
The Red Herring of Celibacy for the Kingdom
Like Joe, I grew up the the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. The diocese is currently undergoing a painful time. Prayers for the people, clergy, and bishop are most necessary. As we celebrate the tremendous Feast of Pentecost, Christians of good will should ask for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Church in… Continue reading The Red Herring of Celibacy for the Kingdom
From Red Herring to Honest Discussion
When faced with the clerical sexual abuse scandal, a common red herring that is brought up is to call into question the practice of clerical celibacy. I’m still amazed that people who try to capitalize on the tragedy of sexual abuse for their own theological agenda are not derided more. I think such actions are… Continue reading From Red Herring to Honest Discussion
“Female Catholic Deacon” Comes Home to the Church
Rutgers University is planning on hosting an event in which it claims that a woman named Patricia Fresen is a Roman Catholic bishop. Seriously: “Roman Catholic Bishop Patricia Fresen, one of only three ordained female bishops in the world,” will lecture at the university at 12:20 p.m. April 15, according to a Rutgers news release.… Continue reading “Female Catholic Deacon” Comes Home to the Church