One of Apostles was a woman, Church is told

The Times (UK) ^ | July 06, 2002 | Our Religion Correspondent

[aculeus]

Discuss among yourselves.

[Slyfox]

I am too verklempt.

[gcruse]

"It's too late to change now."
                         --The Vatican

[B Knotts]

This smells an awful lot like the Anglicans trying to justify their priestesses after the fact.

[Neever]

However it plays out, you would never find Islam working to elevate the role of women in the church.

[adakotab]

As Junia, she was described by St Paul in a letter to the Romans as “prominent among the Apostles”.

Access Hollywood described Will Smith as "prominent among the NBA All Stars" - doesn't mean that Will Smith is a basketball player. I am not sold on this theory, although it may be true.

[B Knotts]

FYI BUMP

[homeschool mama]

**This smells an awful lot like the Anglicans trying to justify their priestesses after the fact.**

Yep.

[tellw]

I think the justification for a celibate priesthood is greater than the justification for an all male priesthood. There are no physical limitations that can keep women from a priestly vocation.

[EternalVigilance]

Looks to me like someone with an ecclesiastical political agenda in search of scriptural justification to back it up.

I don't buy it.

[poet]

Hmm, Another re-write of history by feminists?

[Jhoffa_]

Now wait a minute.. We have a bonafied "deaconess" in the bible. But they are of course fudging on the female apostle?

Why? What purpose would it serve?

[muawiyah]

You should check out Saddam Hussein's mother - definitely a scandalous type in a Moslem neighborhood.

There's more going on over than we realize, else there wouldn't be so many momma's boys among them!

[EternalVigilance]

I think the justification for a celibate priesthood is greater than the justification for an all male priesthood. There are no physical limitations that can keep women from a priestly vocation.

I disagree with you on a number of counts.

1. The New Testament refers to ALL believers as priests...but that there are offices for ministry (giving of oneself for the Body of Christ as a servant leader)...apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers...commonly called 'the five-fold ministry'.

2. There is no New Testament justification for Church leaders to be forced into a life of celibacy. It recognizes that a very few from all walks are called to it (pointing out that a single individual has more of himself to give to the ministry than one who is married)...but it is clear that the vast majority of people are NOT.

3. The Word clearly shows women extensively involved in ministry...but that men are called to lead...this in spite of the fact that in the kingdom of God, there is absolutely no difference before God between men and women.

My two cents worth...

EV

[muawiyah]

For many Christians this is not news nor is it structurally important. Simply by abolishing the office of Bishop, it is then possible for women to participate fully in church life anyway.

Many Protestant denominations did so in past centuries.

[foreverfree]

bump

[Antoninus]

Bonk. Somebody let those wacky Anglicans out of their cages again. Isn't it amazing how they 'discover' things ex post facto to justify their departures from traditional Church practice and teaching? You can be our dissenting Catholic friends will be all over this 'discovery'.

Anglicanism... worst reason for founding a religious sect - ever!

[dodger]

Feminism & PC-dom aside, why does it sometimes (often) seem Paul succeed in a 'leveraged buy-out' of the Jewish reformation initiated by Jesus?

[Always A Marine]

This smells an awful lot like the Anglicans trying to justify their priestesses after the fact.

My exact thoughts as I read the article -- down to my favorite perjorative: "priestesses." Great minds...