While we do not have female priestesses in the Catholic Church, we have had this experience with altar servers. In those parishes where girls were allowed to serve, the number of boys dropped commensurate with the increase of females. When our previous pastor allowed girls to serve, that is precisely how the scenario played itself out. It became so bad that each Sunday, we had only one altar server - a girl. The bishop then issued an edict establishing only boy altar servers. Since then, the boys have returned. A few months ago, a 5 year old volunteered. The new pastor, not willing to diminish the importance of this role, agreed. The parish women created a special chasuble to fit the little guy. What a blessing to see these young boys respond to the need!
Same thing happened in our parish but now the boys are back. They try very hard to keep the servers even in gender.
I agree with the statement though about men's special role. Women were given the blessed role of bearing children. Jesus came as a man; a Son who chose 12 men as apostles. There had to be a reason for that.
All the authors of the New Testament were men. There had to be some purpose for the all-male choice. I buy what the Catholic Church teaches about the special role for men as priests.
The Church of England will continue to melt away. It's sad because so many people will be negatively affected by the puddle left by a once-vibrant church. The Catholic Church in England was, as I've heard Church historians say, a most strong and vibrant church.
I hope Henry VIII is getting his just desserts.
“In those parishes where girls were allowed to serve, the number of boys dropped commensurate with the increase of females.”
This nonsense was pushed by those who want “priestesses” in the RC Church; it was one of the worst decisions of John Paul II. Besides the obvious issue, where it was a source of priestly vocations, the fact that it was left up to the ordinaries to decide for each diocese showed the absurdity of it; what bishop would not allow them? A few didn’t, and have since retired; their replacements have allowed “altar girls”, and once that is in place it is realistically impossible to reverse.
I would have serious reservations about my faith if JP II is canonized; there are valid alternatives in the east to this (via apostolic descent).