[PetroniusMaximus]

"Curiously, there appears to be no mention of what the Bible says about the issue."


1 Timothy 3:2
"A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;"



Hard to be the "husband of one wife" if you're a female.

(Also hard to be a "husband of one wife" if you're a Catholic Bishop.)

[Cheverus]

I guess that means that there can be women Bishops here in Mass!! (must go vomit now)

[ArrogantBustard]

Not as hard as you think ... it certainly would be a change from current practice, and unprecedented in recent history. Even in the East, where married men are often ordained to the priesthood the bishops are chosen from among the ranks of celibate monks.

Still, there would be no theological problem with it. It's a matter of discipline and prudence.

Priestesses, and bishopesses, on the other hand are a huge Scriptural and theological problem.

[Campion]

Also hard to be a "husband of one wife" if you're a Catholic Bishop

I'm certain I know of no Catholic bishops who are bigamists.

[Claud]

(Also hard to be a "husband of one wife" if you're a Catholic Bishop.)

Who was John's wife? Who was Polycarp's wife? Who was Ignatius of Antioch's wife?

Dare you say that all of the bishops of the first two centuries was married? Your understanding of this passage seems to be belied by the lives of the men who actually held the office.

[Kolokotronis]

"Hard to be the "husband of one wife" if you're a female."

Not if you're an Episcopalian.