Catholic Priestesses

"Wherefore, in order that all doubt may be removed regarding a matter of great importance, a matter which pertains to the Church's divine constitution itself, in virtue of my ministry of confirming the brethren (cf. Luke 22:32) I declare that the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgment is to be definitely held by all the Church's faithful...the example recorded in the Sacred Scriptures of Christ choosing his Apostles only from among men; the constant practice of the Church, which has imitated Christ in choosing only men; and her living teaching authority which has consistently held that the exclusion of women from the priesthood is in accordance with God's plan for his Church."

- Pope John Paul II
Apostolic Letter Ordinatio Sacerdotalis on Reserving Priestly Ordination to Men Alone

May 22, 1994, the Solemnity of Pentecost

Something in that statement just doesn't seem quite right. Or spiritually uplifting for that matter.

Awhile back, Mama and I had this conversation about allowing women to become priests. I was for it and she was not, primarily because such a move would probably invite a plethora of sexual harassment issues, both real and perceived. She did give one consolation though, that despite the exclusion, women still play a lot of significant roles in the church. And if one is to look around, more women than men are actively participating in church activities as it is.

As for me, that's like saying the experience of an adoptive mother can approximate the experience of another mother who actually gave birth to her child. It's just not possible. So it is with women who have an inner calling to a priestly vocation. Though one may be active in the Eucharist, nothing beats being an actual priest and it cannot be fair to limit that experience and restrict it from the rest, who otherwise may have sincere callings for it, solely on the basis of gender.

I also came across one site, www.womenpriests.org, which basically sums up all the arguments in favor of Catholic priestesses. Simply put, there is nothing in modern-day theology which prohibits women from becoming priests. Chiefly, the main issue against this idea is the concept of tradition within the Catholic hierarchy. Reflected in the late Pope's words above, tradition supports the current practice of a male-dominated clergy ( It's the way it's been done before so why change it?). But such a view hinges on a narrow sense and understanding of church history, a history which has repeatedly marginalized women and has, sadly, been a witness to gross instances of the Church straying far from its teachings.

Perhaps, God never wished for women to become priests. But that assumption also falls flat on its face in front of thousands of women who have been, should we say, "touched" by the Spirit and do have sincere yearnings towards a closer communion with God.

Maybe, in this issue, we've been the ones foolishly playing God all the way. The church does have the authority to ordain women and that authority comes from the Divine and it resides in the hearts of the women who have been called to a priestly life. In light of such a revelation, who are we to question God's call?