What is the Church planning to do about the priest shortage: Part 2

I want to return to our discussions regarding questions I have been asked in some of my visits to classes and organizations at our parish. I want to continue with the second part of the question I was asked about solving the priest shortage. Some of the persons indicated that ordaining women priests would go far to eliminate the priest shortage and would finaly give equality to women in the Church. There are a number of reasons brought forth whay women should be ordained so I am going to respond to each that was pointed out to me that night.

1) The reason Jesus didn't ordain women is because women were subordinate in society at that time.

First, Jesus didn't conform to society throughout his teaching so why would he change that when establishing the role of priest in the Church. Related to that is the fact that nearly all the pagan religions had priestesses so it would not be extraordinary to choose women as priests if he chose to do so. Lastly, if we believe that Jesus simply went with the times then we are admitting that Jesus, the Son of God, did not foresee the change in equality of women in the future and we deny God's omnipotence.

2)There is no scriptural basis for excluding women

This objection turned out to be more about the theology of the Church rather than scripture but it finds its source from scripture. Basically, the objection was that there was no evidence claiming that Christ saw the Church as only ordaining men. The truth is that Jesus gave some of the most concrete evidence of this and he did this numerous times. Jesus referred to the Church as the bride. He also referred to himself as the bridegroom. Jesus as the bridegroom is found in each of the four Gospels. The Church has also been recognized as being the bride of Christ because of the teaching of Christ himself. The ordained priest acts in the Person of Christ. The very theological teaching of Christ and his relationship to the Church is evidence of the male priesthood.

3) Not allowing women's ordination denies the equality of women

So many people believe equality means identical. Equality does not mean identical. The first and most fundamental example of this is our biological differences. As a male I cannot have a child. Does that make me less equal to a woman because I cannot bring new life into the world? Different does not mean unequal. A male priesthood does not make women subordinate in the Church. Even scriptures stresses that. St. Paul says:

"Now the body is not a single part, but many. If a foot should say, 'Because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body,' it does not for this reason belong any less to the body." (1 Corinthians 12:14-15)

He goes on to say:

"Now you are Christ's body, and individually parts of it. Some people God has designated in the church to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then, gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work mighty deeds?" (1 Corinthians 12:27-29)

Scripture itself makes it clear that equality does not mean identical as well as clearly stating that God designated various persons to serve the Church in different ways. The role of women in the Church is just as important as that of men. We need religious sisters to pray for the People of God, to teach the faith to our children and to be that ideal example of Christ's command to do unto others as you would have them do unto you through their care of the sick, the poor and the needy. Wasn't that one of the most important elements of Christ's ministry on earth? Women religious do act in the Person of Christ in fulfilling his ministry to the teaching and care of others just as men act in the Person of Christ by ministering the sacraments of Christ.

These were the three objections to the Church not ordaining women that were brought up in my talks. On the surface, each objections seems to have merit. However, when you examine each objection, and compare it to the teaching of Christ and his Church it becomes obvious that these objections are not reasons the Church won't ordain women rather why Christ chose to ordain only men to the priesthood. Until next time...God bless.

posted by: crossman at 08:26 | link | comments |
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