The World Needs Women Priests

[Paidiske]

Nuns can't hear confessions.
That said, I'm not sure the argument that we need women priests in order to offer people a more comfortable option for confession is really that strong.

 

[NerdGirl]

Nuns can't hear confessions.
That said, I'm not sure the argument that we need women priests in order to offer people a more comfortable option for confession is really that strong.

Ah.
Thanks for explaining that.

 

[Love365]

Equal employment opportunities?

 

[Love365]

The world is having a shortage of Catholic priests.
In 1970 world population was between 3 and 4 billion.
Today world population is between 7 and 8 billion.

In 1970 there were about 400,000 Catholic priests.
Today there are still about 400,000 Catholic priests.

The best way to make up the shortage is to make women priests.
Women are 50% of the world population.

 

[Paidiske]

Equal employment opportunities?

Being a priest is not "employment" in the usual sense of the term.

Clearly I support women's ordination, but the arguments we use for that matter. It's not a matter of throwing everything we can think of out there, and seeing what sticks.

 

[Love365]

Being a priest is not "employment" in the usual sense of the term.

Clearly I support women's ordination, but the arguments we use for that matter. It's not a matter of throwing everything we can think of out there, and seeing what sticks.

Is this a better argument?

If the Catholic Church locks 50% of the doors,
They can’t get to where they are needed the most.

 

[Paidiske]

There are, I think, some conversations that women clergy will have that male clergy will never have (and vice versa), although they are a very small minority of conversations.

Diversity in the clergy is good; it helps us be better placed to serve diverse communities.

 

[Love365]

Jesus let John the Baptist give Him a baptism.
That is like a priest.

Jesus let Mary of Bethany anoint Him with holy oil.
That is like a priest.
Then Jesus said when you spread the Gospel throughout the world,
Do it in memory of her.

Why?
She was the first woman to be a Christian priest.

 

[Love365]

The Catholic Church lets girls become altar servers.

Should women also become altar servers?

 

[Love365]

I have received excellent pastoral support from women priests and my personal view is that their gifts and talents should be celebrated and recognised.

Thank you

 

[Anthony2019]

Thank you

You pointed out earlier the woman who anointed Jesus' feet with perfume.
I would also add that we have Mary the Mother of God, the Theotokos, who intercedes on our behalf. She is given a place of exceptionally high honour: "All nations will call me blessed".
All through the Bible, woman have been given a special place in serving God and furthering the Kingdom.
I think we are doing ourselves a major disservice by failing to acknowledge the role of women in the church. If a woman approached Jesus and asked if they could serve him by teaching and providing pastoral support to others, do we really think he would turn around to them and say "no". I cannot imagine that he would and that is why I am personally very happy to be part of a church denomination that appoints women priests.

 

[Valletta]

The Catholic Church lets girls become altar servers.

Should women also become altar servers?

Catholic Bishops currently make the decision as to whether to allow women as altar servers. The only negative I know of is that women should not take the place of males who may be thinking about the priesthood.

 

[All4Christ]

Nuns can't hear confessions.
That said, I'm not sure the argument that we need women priests in order to offer people a more comfortable option for confession is really that strong.

For what it’s worth, in the Orthodox tradition, nuns can hear confession. They can’t give absolution though. Those blessed to hear confessions in the Orthodox Church aren’t always clergy. (Just sharing for information).

 

[Paidiske]

Well, I guess that would be technically true for us, too; but confession without absolution would not be our usual practice.

 

[All4Christ]

Well, I guess that would be technically true for us, too; but confession without absolution would not be our usual practice.

It’s not uncommon for us (especially with spiritual fathers / mothers in monasteries), but there is the secondary act of absolution afterwards, which only can be provided by clergy. The standard for a parish would be to have a priest be the spiritual father and confessor, but it isn’t a requirement or even the norm in all scenarios.

For that matter - not everyone is gifted with the same level of counsel that is important with confession.

 

[Paidiske]

For that matter - not everyone is gifted with the same level of counsel that is important with confession.

That's certainly true. I've known plenty of clergy I'd never choose as my confessor!

 

[All4Christ]

That's certainly true. I've known plenty of clergy I'd never choose as my confessor!

It makes a world of a difference to have someone who is gifted with that!

 

[Love365]

Here in the United States the channel PBS plays many British TV shows. Downton Abbey, Father Brown, and Poldark to name a few.

I grew up watching the Vicar of Dibley on PBS.
I hope the BBC makes more TV shows with women priests,
so PBS can play them on American TV.

 

[concretecamper]

The best way to make up the shortage is to make women priests.
Women are 50% of the world population.

ain't gonna happen.

 

[concretecamper]

Should women also become altar servers?

no