Why can't women be priests (or deacons)?

Why can't women be priests (or deacons)?

CCC 1577:

Only a baptized man validly receives sacred ordination.  The Lord Jesus chose men 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.

Pastoral Answer: 

In the Old Testament, Aaron and his sons were chosen to be priests who acted on behalf of the people to worship God.  In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is the High Priest.  By Baptism, we become part of the "common priesthood" as part of Christ's Body in worshiping God.  In contrast, Bishops and priests are in the "ministerial priesthood" who serve as the image of Christ Himself as the head of the Body.  Because Christ is a man, those who serve as His image should naturally be men.
The Church has the power to determine how to celebrate the Sacraments, but she cannot change essential aspects establish by Christ.  Pope John Paul II declared in 1994 that "the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church’s faithful.”

Comments

  1. Jon.NMarch 23, 2019 at 12:21 PM

    Based on our textbook page 273-274 under "Doctrinal Statement" the third bullet from the last state "Only men may be ordained." When a statement of a pope become a "doctrine" it is infallible. Per what Pope John Paul II said above, I think this will never change. But he said "priestly" -- could deacons be different? Are you trying to recruit your wife to be deacon? :)

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  2. K BarberMarch 23, 2019 at 8:45 PM

    I liked the way you answered this question. You were very pastoral when answering. I also liked that you referenced Pope John Paul II. I thought that gave the teaching additional validity, since it was a more modern response on this age old question.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kim WrattenMarch 25, 2019 at 3:18 PM

    Many people don't consider the points as pointed out in above for reasons why women can't be part of clergy. Some will turn away from the Church due to the inclination they have no ability to progress into clergy spots within the Church. This seems to be a big draw for other faiths for members to join.

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