Women and the Priesthood: A Theological Reflection

Women and the Priesthood: A Theological Reflection | Jean Galot, S.J. | From Theology of the Priesthood

Editor's Note: The following excerpt is from the concluding chapter of Fr. Galot's Theology of the Priesthood, titled "The Mission of Woman and the Priesthood." It comes after examinations of the claim to a priesthood for women, the ecumenical situation, and the teachings of Jesus, the New Testament, and the Church.

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The tradition of the Church, firm and unchanging, rests on the fundamental fact which is Christ's own decision: Jesus chose only men to exercise the priestly ministry. His will revealed itself clearly in the choice of the Twelve,  in the powers conferred upon them, and especially in the fact that he restricted to them alone participation in the Last Supper and entrusted to them the responsibility of the work of evangelization. This will has the mark of permanency in it, for, through the institution of this ministry, Jesus intended to insure the future of his Church and provide for the entire development to come. This will should not be ascribed to the prejudices of his time and place, nor to any notion on his part of woman's inferiority, for he showed clearly how he resisted the mentality of his contemporaries, how resolved he was to restore equality between men and women, and how he intended to promote woman's role in the work of salvation.

Upon this foundation we can, in theological reflection, gain a better understanding of what Jesus' intention means and of the divine design that is expressed in it. Whatever the outcome of these reflections, whatever discussions may ensue because of them, the solidity of the foundation remains unshaken. When it comes to the solution of the issue, what is essential is the will of Christ, as acknowledged in tradition and supported by the definitive and ever present normativeness of Church authority. Theological reflection is only an attempt at perceiving the reasons that impelled that will, at grasping its scope and warrant with greater clarity and precision. [31]

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Comments

[Kiki Day]

Oy. It's the logic I don't understand.

Jesus picked Peter. Should we restrict our selections for the papacy to men named Peter? Did Jesus adequately represent all the types of men there are in the twelve? Their "personalities and productivities"? Shall we ensure that each of our priests, bishops etc. represents one of the apostles? Which one was the pedophile?

As a Loyolan (M.R.E., IPS, '92) and a Vatican II communicant I'm reminded of this line from John XXIII: "All are welcome at the table." And this one: "The least likely are chosen." Certainly we all qualify under this last criteria, don't we?

Whose arrogance has led to our exclusion and how much longer will we endure its labored and illogical justification? Prejudice is a gravely destructive sin, on a par with any others I've seen in institutional church. It will and does continue to take us down.

While my daughters and I wait patiently on the church steps I recall my Yiddish heritage, my mother explaining the Front of the Book from the Back, so to speak. In this matter, there is no Christ, no healing, no saving grace, as if the fruit of the gospels were left in the vineyard and only the slim, withering vine was harvested.

"NO" to all women and the priesthood will, I believe, bring on the Reformation we were promised forty odd years ago by one who did his best to renew us. Without it the women will eventually turn and shake the dust from their sandals, and, I believe, without guilt or regret. Because truly, our Christ is not thus; you have made our Christ thus.

[Charles E Flynn]

A priest is supposed to be a living icon of Jesus Christ. It is difficult to see how a woman could be a living icon of a man.

[Kiki Day]

Dear Charles,
Calling Jesus a "man" is heresy.
Apart from that, it is difficult to see how today's priests represent anyone.
Kiki

[Jeff Miller]

A great book!

[Carl E. Olson]

Calling Jesus a "man" is heresy.

Kiki: Are you Catholic? If so, I think you need to take some basic catechesis. If calling Jesus a "man" is heresy, then the Incarnation, a central dogma of the Catholic Church (and Christianity at large) is heretical. St. Paul would be a heretic:

"But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many." (Rom. 5:15).

And the Nicene Creed would also be heretical: "For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man."

If you aren't clear on this basic point, it's going to be impossible to comprehend the Church's teaching about the priesthood.

[Sheryl D]

I would also recommend The Catholic Priesthood and Women: A Guide to the Teaching of the Church by Sara Butler for an excellent explanation of why there church is not able to ordain women.

[Deacon Harold]

The greatest saint in the history of the Church, who is the greatest example of what it means to be fully human, is not a priest or bishop ... or even a man. She is the Blessed Virgin Mary.