As far as Mary as priest. We can speak of her priest like role, and such in theology, but I think some of the confusion comes from something we must keep in mind.
The Church has officially said the use of that title and theology, in connection to Ordained Orders is not allowed, or to quote: "is not approved and may not be promoted" and that "the representation of Mary clothed in sacerdotal vestments was disapproved."
Mary has never been viewed as a priest in the same form as the ordained priesthood; although she was poetically imagines and depicted in vestments. It is important to remember there is more than one priesthood (Of all Baptize and Ordained) and we can look at Mary's role in the same way as we do her Hyperdulia. So sometimes she was visibly represented in a confusing manner and the Church clarified.
While it can be argued that Mary has a special priesthood in the sense of chosen from all people to have a special priest like role; that can not be compared theologically to the ordained priesthood.
The Popes have said that although Mary never was ordained she has in respect to priesthood: "as much dignity and grace as are found in the priesthood."
But the title Virgin Priest has been misunderstood and is now not to be used or promoted. And Sacradotal titles have been applied to Mary but not in a way that indicated Holy Orders. And the Popes have said we can not promote them anymore because they cause confusion and get misused. The title was used because of Mary's role in the Divine Sacrifice (divini sacrificii socia) not because of any kind of Sacramental Orders.
So we can talk about her divini sacrificii socia (Companionship to or sharing in the Divine Sacrifice) but we need to remember that has no bearing on ordination.
Hi Davidnic,
I am pleased that you are in formation for the Diaconate. I would say, I respect your remarks especially from the position that you are in. It is good to know what the church teaches.
As our moderator has mentioned, I am not only pleased in your responding, the the Possible Theology of Mary, in that to me, she passes all the tests for priethood in having also offered up her son to God in sacrifice, but you also note the differences in her priesthood, brought up in conversations now, by the bishops response in speaking his mind.
That bishop, says some priests should be married, in his own opinion. There is a sound Theological basis for priests, and hermit priests, and celibate priests. so that seems like it makes sense, but from the larger picture, that you are not involved in yet, as you emphasize, is the one given you by God, that you are doing now.
I am Trinitarian, by a defiition I will give you soon. The church had me tested on that. And not I, but that information was confirmed. So, what I am to say, is from that understanding, approved of really by The Holy Spirit, as that was their pronouncements on this.
And, the results of understanding God really, does leave me with the summary of what The Bible says, that indeed God The Father offered up His Own Son, to allow us to be right enough to Him, that some of us can be called adopted sons and daughters of God.
That would make God The Father a priest, and not in the manner that Roman Catholic Priests are priests, like you have said about Mary.
On what I am allowed to do in this world, much time is spent with all religious people too, just showing them how God is in their individual religions, normally. I have no experince in Islam, and I have to work with two other groups that are at least as anti Christian, as the Pharoh in Egypt was. (That is complicated. He oppessed but God made Him oppose, so that God could show His power, thus how does God treat that Pharoh now. I don't know.) (In a similar way, opposition to Christianity, may be set, so that certain things happen within Christianity that are good somehow.) (Thus those two/three groups or more that are anti Christian, may actually also be working for God.)
Within the groups that I work in, it is to show them God, and for some it is to show them just one thing some of the time within their own religion, to make them more fully in line, with what God actually means and wants from all of us.
I am happy for the discussions that the bishop brought up. I am hoping in your formation, you are not only knowing what The Holy Roman Catholic Church says that is so, but also consider items, like only the wording used on certain things make them invalid, when in fact they are not invalid and never were invalid.
LOVE,
...Mary Katerina., .... .
