I am conflicted on this.
The Church says no, but many of the holiest and strongest Catholics I know are women. Should they be denied the chance to serve the Lord as His voice?
Simplest case, take a look right here on FR. Catholic or Protestant both, the mightiest warriors for the Lord are women - and I am profoundly grateful!
I know it is the rules, but it is one I am not fond of. Accept it, of course, but really don’t like it in this case.
I know - obedience is a virtue - but I can still grumble about wasted talent.
There are many ways to serve the Church. One does not have to be a priest to be a great leader in faith. The most prominent American Catholic leader in the last fifty years has been Mother Angelica of EWTN.
St Hildergard, St Catherine, And look at Saint Faustina. We say this Divine Mercy Chaplet because of her Visions. I have had more Profound Presence of the Lord since these prayers. I had Dream Visions that came true since these prayers. Also these Prayers are for the Last days as the Lord to St. Faustina. So we are living in the true last days.
Women are very influential and anointed. I think some of the most profound writings are from women. I have read some. Just Amazing!
I do not think they should become priests. You might ruin all this great wisdom. LOL!
Cheers!
1 Timothy 2:14 “And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.”
There is your reason right there, no matter how “holy” a woman may appear she is far easier to deceive and lead astray than a man is and she is also far more likely to rationalize her sinful desires like Eve did in the garden of Eden (in modern terms they call it the rationalization hamster which is a pretty apt description). So please stop putting women on a pedestal as they don’t really deserve to be placed there and it usually only makes it easier for them to kick you in the teeth as you’re bowing down to worship them ;)
“I can still grumble about wasted talent.”
In addition to the fact that the Church cannot ordain women, there are other reasons that women should not be priests. Good and sufficient reasons.
“Should they be denied the chance to serve the Lord as His voice?”
No one is denied the chance to serve the Lord and be His voice. Women are in no way denied this. Mary was not denied this and is the first leader member of the Body of Christ.
What women are denied is earthly recognition of the role of husband which we see as a status position. So it’s true the Church denies a position which confers earthly status to women but heavenly status has not been effected.
A woman can be a sacristan, can run a ministry such as the Fatima statue traveling around, can teach catechism, can be in charge of adult formation in RCIA, can teach Bible study, etc.
And women PRAY!