Answer:
This is a very sensitive topic especially in our culture where everyone is very edgy about female exclusion. However, this is nothing like that.The truth is, many women have very keen understanding of the Scriptures and can deliver better homilies than most men, tend to parishioners better and live out more clearly the life of Christ. However, it is not possible for a woman to validly receive ordination into the Catholic priesthood.
The reason why women cannot be priests can be seen in the history of the Church. From Christ’s choice of males to the Apostles’ choices as well, no woman has ever been called to the ministerial priesthood. Every baptized catholic is a priest, king and prophet. However, only an adult male can validly receive the sacerdotal ordination.
Christ, who was not tied to the cultural norms of his times could have ordained women if he wanted to. We know that Christ is perfect God and perfect man, he was very clear as to what he wanted for the Church. Had he the intention of ordaining any woman, i think Mary would’ve made the perfect candidate, for no one aside Christ could better be able to literally say “this is my body, this is my blood” than her. But, if Christ didn’t and none of the Apostles did, and after over 2000 years, no Pope can do this either.
Here’s what the Church says:
“’Only a baptized man (vir) validly receives sacred ordination.’ The Lord Jesus chose men (viri) to form the college of the twelve apostles, and the apostles did the same when they chose collaborators to succeed them in their ministry. The college of bishops, with whom the priests are united in the priesthood, makes the college of the twelve an ever-present and ever-active reality until Christ’s return. The Church recognizes herself to be bound by this choice made by the Lord himself. For this reason the ordination of women is not possible” (CCC 1577).
There was no ordination to the priesthood in the New Testament Church. All Christians shared in the priesthood of Christ, including Mary and other women. There was no canonization of saints either because all Christians were called saints.
There was no ordination to the priesthood in the New Testament Church. All Christians shared in the priesthood of Christ, including Mary and other women. There was no canonization of saints either because all Christians were called saints.
Amen. We hope Pope Francis should not give a second thought of damaging the Will of Jesus.
Amen. We hope Pope Francis should not give a second thought of damaging the Will of Jesus.