Posted on 04/28/2008 6:33:10 AM PDT by NYer
In the run-up to Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United States, there was a tremendous display of unseriousness at the National Press Club, followed by a sacrilege at a nearby Washington, D.C., church.
A misguided group called the Women's Ordination Conference held a protest – a press conference and an all-woman "Mass" at a local Methodist church. The group, as the name suggests, wants to see "the ordination of women as priests, deacons and bishops." Sadly, the group doesn't understand women or the Catholic Church.
In a prepared statement, WOC executive director Aisha Taylor declared:
"The failure to ordain women is a blatant manifestation of sexism in the church that has wider repercussions in the world.
"In the three years of his papacy, Pope Benedict XVI has made a few encouraging statements about women, but he has done nothing that suggests willingness to open the discussion on women's ordination. That's why for his 81st birthday, we are offering the pope a present: the gift of women, their leadership, talents, experiences and unique perspectives."
The group trailed the popemobile to papal events with a billboard truck that asked: "Pope Benedict, How long must women wait for equality? Ordain Catholic Women."
As they are stuck on their version of "equality," the fundamental problem with the group and its message is that whatever Benedict says or does will not be enough for them. They are not open to listening, but to dictating an unworkable agenda. If they were open to it, they would hear and see the Roman Catholic Church's embrace and celebration of women. Women will not be priests, but they will always be an essential part of the Church.
(Excerpt) Read more at dallasnews.com ...
She needs to become an Episcopalian. They’re much more “open minded.”
Did we allow women to participate because of a shortage, or because most of us realized denying them participation was wrong?
. . . one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church . . .
Benedict XVI in "Introduction to Christianity" explains this as a Holy Church of sinful people not a sinful church of Holy people. I highly recommend this book.
I bet Reverend Wright doesn’t have trouble attracting men to HIS church.
I know...I was just kidding and looking for a cheap plug for my parish.
My parish is also quite “orthodox” with the younger priests being even more so. Daily confession, ad orientem Masses, chant, etc.
If people want a blueprint for female ordination, they can always look to the Episcopal church and how well that’s fairing.
Christ’s role as head of the Church and bridegroom are fundamentally male, for whatever reason in the mystery of God. The fatherhood of the clergy has a deeply symbolic relation to the maternal function of the Church. In one sense, Christ leads the Church; in another sense, Christ comes to wed the Church. The dynamic is this: Christ the head, caring for his Church; Christ the groom, married to his bride, the Church.
Be sure to tell the Missionaries of Charity. And the Sisters of Life. And the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. And the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecelia. And the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal. I'm sure they'd be interested to know that.
Funny thing: orthodox, traditional orders grow. "Relevant" orders that follow the ways of the world die.
To the extent that there is a shortage of priests, nuns, and brothers, it is manufactured by folks who deliberately abandoned orthodoxy for "relevance".
Among all the other changes wrought in the name of the 'Spirit' of Vatican II came women lectors and LEM's. This was a great mistake in my mind and one that is not too late to change. It will take several generations but it can and should be done.
I believe that women should keep silent and should cover their heads.
Hey, I just might be tempted if the majority of Catholics I knew were like the few participating in this thread. Fortunately, the majority of American Catholics, period, are in favor of ordaining women priests. :)
“American Catholics continue to be open to new ideas for parish leadership. 61% of respondents agreed that the Catholic Church should allow women to serve as priests. Generational differences are apparent, as less than half (47%) of those born in 1940 or earlier approve the idea, while two-thirds (66%) of those born after 1960 endorse female ordination.”
http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1475
Meanwhile, I'll put in a plug for St John Cantius Parish, and the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius
A very good friend is a member of that order.
Seriously? A la fundamentalist Islam?
Sure there is---Christ didn't choose any women as Apostles (disciples, yes, but not Apostles). Nor did the Apostles ever choose any women to be bishops. And based on those facts the Church has made an infallible judgment that women cannot be priests---so fuggedaboutit.
It's not a matter of whether we're "ready" ... It's a matter of whether it's "right".
It's not. Wrong should never be done, even if a majority are "ready" for it.
You’re not old enough to remember women wearing a veil?
Because the men do not want to go to feminized Masses: wimpy sermons, happy clappy 60's kumbaya music, etc. Homosexual priests do not help. What straight father and husband can relate to some swishy priest? Women priests would only serve to exacerbate, not ameliorate this problem.
Women in The Church are NOT second-class, try telling that to the Nuns I know! furthermore, the act of celebrating mass is of a community. By not having women as celebrants, in no way signifies that they are not the equals of men
Wow, this thread is really drawing some interesting people...
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