What a thoughtful and well-reasoned response. Thank you.
There are people who argue that there were, in fact, female apostles. I won’t make that argument, but I do think it’s interesting to consider how skillfully Jesus presented his radicalism. How would a group of female apostles have been received by the Jewish people 2000 years ago? Can you imagine?
I asked a question earlier, but no one responded. Why do Catholics ignore the Corinthians verse prescribing that women keep silent in the churches? Why have we taken such liberties with that, and do you believe it’s right that we do?
Ordaining women may not solve the priest shortage, you’re right. It’s quite possible nothing will.
It’s interesting that you seem to tie the decline of the Church membership to the increased involvement of women. I think it’s more likely women have been the glue holding the Church together for quite some time. I know far more women who encourage (drag?) their husbands and children to Mass every week than men. And if you really believe reducing the influence of women in the church will attract more men to the church, I ask you this: what kind of men, realistically, do you think you’d be attracting? And would you want to be part of a Church full of those men? I can think of at least one prominent religion where men enjoy all the power, and the results are often devastating.
I bet Reverend Wright doesn’t have trouble attracting men to HIS church.
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.
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.
You’re confusing roles when you talk about women being “involved” in mass. Women have always been “involved” in the Church. Of 15 ancient saints around the altar at the National basilica, 12 are women. Women have directed popes! What’s at fault with most of the most vocal pursuers of female ordination (recognizing that they are not typical) is the association of the priesthood with power.
The priest offers his life as a sacrifice for his flock. H stands in the place of Christ at the altar. This is the essence of masculinity, since Man cannot bear life: to sacrifice oneself to protect life.
It reaches to the deepest core of the male psyche — of what it means to be a man — that a woman, capable of creating life, should not be sacrificed for a man. Doing so would distort the divine sacrifice of Christ into human sacrifice.
Even the symbolism of celibacy is intrinsically destroyed. Whereas the man gives up descendents; among women it would bear the hallmarks of sacrificing virgins, commonly associated with sex cults, etc.