CathNews - a Service of Church Resources

Have Your Say 

Recent Comments

1. Thank you Vatican Council II for the religious liberty you proclaimed and the "primacy of conscience" over The Faith you extolled. Look at the mess your liberalism and tolerance has provoked. This is where the disobedience lies - not among traditional Catholics who obey the magisterial teachings of The Church but amongst the neomodernisers and liberals whose motives are political.

   Posted By: HMacK

2. I seem to recall Mother Mary McKillop was also excommunicated by the Vatican. So I wouldn't worry too much; it's obviously no barrier to beatification. Maybe even a important pre-requisite !

   Posted By: Conor Bradley

3. What an unbelievably medieval stance to take. Is the Pope hell bent on disaffecting legions more of the faithful? Gender surely is not an issue for God, but the fragile male ego cannot apparently relinquish POWER which is the real issue here. Very sad.

   Posted By: Robyn King

4. The headline and first line should read "Women who simulate an ordination ceremony" or "women who pretend to be ordained" (and a bishop who pretends to ordain them).
   
   It is physically impossible for there ever to be such a thing as a priestess in Judaism or in Christianity. It's amazing that some people continue in denial of this simple fact.
   
   There is no "ban" on "women priests". It is simply an impossibility. To say there is a "ban" is as silly as saying that the Church has an "existing ban on men nuns and men mothers".

   Posted By: Ronk

5. It is good to see that the Vatican is running scared of women! What is excommunication? It wouldn't worry me to be excommunicated now as I am so disgusted with the institutional church. I know God would not excommunicate us and that is all that matters. It is time we began to rebel against Rome for all the piffling rubbish they go on with. Apparently they have nothing better to do. Have you ever seen the Vatican offering financial help to countries in crisis? Do they ever give us ways of bettering our spirituality? All I ever hear is their condemnation of good bishops and the wonderful work they are trying to do in bringing the institutional church into the 21st century. They spend too much time listening to "pimps" (little boy priests who have not moved with the time and who are destroying the faith of good people by reporting to Rome so modern changes like the 3rd rite are condemned; they are running to "mummy" with their tales because they are challenged by change). Anything good that came out of Vatican II has been cancelled because the little puppets in Rome feel they are losing control. The fact that this rite did wonders for our Catholics did not come into consideration.
   Rome is a disgrace
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   !

   Posted By: Pamela McSweeney P B V M

6. What are they so terrified of? Anyone who witnessed the recent ordination of the Anglican woman Bishop in Perth could only have been impressed not only by her gentleness but by her experiences as a wife and mother. At least she knows what real life is about and will be able to relate to people in a far more meaningful way than most members of the Congregation for the Doctrince for the Faith. When will they come out of the dark ages and see tht the world has changed, even if they can't.

   Posted By: Margaret Knowlden

7. Holy Cow!!!! Where does it explicitly say in the bible or anywhere else for that matter , that women cannot be ordained.. It is ONLY in the MINDset of some of the Catholic male hierarchy that the obstacles exist.For all our sakes let us move into the 21st century.Ora pro nobis

   Posted By: Peg Saunders

8. It is ridiculous that matters of internal Church discipline which have nothing to do with faith in God or moral living receive this type of treatment.
   
   Do torturers get "latae sententiae"? If they don't, it shows that the Catholic Church considers the "women priests" issue worse than torture. If they do, it puts both actions on a par.
   
   I just wish the Church would put as much effort into proclaiming and living the message of Jesus as it does into all this nonsense so foreign to the Gospel.

   Posted By: Susan Connelly RSJ

9. What an over reaction! Is the Holy See trying to promote women's ordination? If, as they hold, a woman is incapable of being ordained, then this tends to show a fear that they are wrong in this, as Scripture, Tradition and theology clearly show!

   Posted By: Tony Le Clerc

10. Excommunication should not come as any shock/horror. The matter was settled by Pope John Paul II explictly.
    Why cannot the 'dialogue' as a form of passive aggression be recognised for what it really is, i.e., an ongoing agenda attempt to subvert Catholic teaching on the priesthood?

    Posted By: Michael Webb

11. I rarely post comments, but for the Church to make this action automatic expulsion from the community of the faithful is a disgrace. Considering the various crimes and scandals the Church could act on, it chooses this. It is simply a power play and will do the community no lasting good.

    Posted By: Eric

12. The point of the excommunication is make it clear for those whose eyes are blinded by whatever "..ism" they choose to follow, that the Church clearly teaches that women priests are impossible. If this is not acceptable, no-one is forcing anyone to be a Catholic. Every institution or social group has rules. Life could not possibly be lived with any order otherwise. If you cannot accept the rules of the Church, the mature thing is to opt out and not petulantly break the rules or encourage others to do so and expect no reprimand. I would suggest that it is highly inappropriate for religious or clergy (as Church leaders) to speak in favour of the ordination of women in the public forum. It only leads to "false hopes" and pain, and as we can see, in some cases, to the Church's reluctant necessity to use of its power to excommunicate.

    Posted By: Fr Robert Cross

13. Yes Susan, pretending to ordain a so-called "woman priest" is far worse than torture. Torture injures a human body. Pretending to ordain a so-called "woman priest" is torturing the Divine Body of Christ.
    
    

    Posted By: Ronk

14. Dear sister Pamela McSweeney, why do not you convert to Protestantism, you would be happier and we also. Please let us be more serious

    Posted By: David Gonzalez

15. You should try reading and understanding the Bible, it is clear on this issue. If you want to attend a "church" that has women as pastors go do it. But just because you want something doesn't mean the church should go against what Scripture and God has ordained because YOU think it is right. I am sure there are many people who want adultery to be okay and open homosexuals as ministers and divorce to be no big deal because they think it is okay. The Church has a responsibilty to follow God's Word and uphold the truth, no matter how many people think otherwise.

    Posted By: Brian

16. Seems to me that the leaders of our Church are slamming the door on the problem of shortage of clergy. What happened to debate? Do they really think that the present numbers of priests can cope with priestly duties in all our parishes?
    
    I feel that Marital Status and Gender should not stand in the way of people becoming priests. Of course married priests and women will have a harder job in coping with priestly duties,but if they are willing to give it ago, the Church should give them a go.

    Posted By: Hal Keegel

17. I am surprised at the harshness of this communication. As a newly confirmed adult Roman Catholic it dismays me to see this kind of rigidity in the Church. I was brought to an understanding of the Catholic faith through a woman priest who was Anglican. For a church that is crying out for new vocations and which overworks its existing priests to make do, I am really surprised. I see no reason that a woman cannot be a priest. In fact, many are more able to do the pastoral side of priestly function. Our Protestant brothers and sisters have shown how well women function as priests and ministers.

    Posted By: Pam

18. Cardinal Law protected pedophiles and the Church gave him a promotion to Rome. Let a woman try to fulfil her calling and she is excommunicated.
    Roman Catholic women should refuse to make any more Catholic babies and we would see how fast that edict would change!

    Posted By: Pam

19. This decree should include also all those who promote this heretical stance. All priests, religious as well as those teaching in schools and all higher Catholic learning institutions have the moral obligation to teach and defend our Faith, and never to promote a deliberate destruction of it. This stubborn stand- that a woman can be a priestess- by those both within the Catholic clergy, hierarchy, religious orders and prestigious positions within Church organisations has continued unabated and relentlessly for over 20 years in Australia both in an open and in an underhand manner. Many laity have been won over by the statement that it is 'just' that a woman be ordained. Those women who have opposed this, in fact anyone whether clergy religious or laity who have dared to speak out to the contrary, have been dismissed as either ignorant or trouble makers. The laity, especially, have had the idea of the acceptance of priestesses forced on us for over 30 years. Now is the time to promote the priesthood, as Christ instituted it. Let us start with the washing of men's feet, only, on Holy Thursday night.

    Posted By: Janina Mousley

20. The big question is: what is the sacrament of holy orders for? The tradition says that it exists "in the service of communion". Excommunicating people who may or may not actually understand what it is supposed to mean suggests that those doing the excommunicating are failing to "serve communion". Surely it is more in keeping with holy orders to invite those who either do not understand or just do not agree into honest and open conversation with an aim to reconciliation in truth AND love. I really don't see either operating in either "side" of this debate (to put it euphemistically). The Pontiff is a "bridge-builder". But no one's perfect...

    Posted By: DD

21. In just over an hour from now I'll be performing a Catholic marriage service.As always I'll be stressing that men and women were created equal before God and hopefully before man.I'm at a loss to know what theological or scriptual basis there is for the ban on womens' ordination.

    Posted By: Bill Brady

22. Why are there so many negative comments about this? Does no one respect the church and its ancient traditions? Unlike most things these days, Church Law is not up for argument! And I thank God for that.

    Posted By: S. Francis

23. Scenario 1: Legalistic use of power: Pope hands out on the spot excommunication.
    Scenario 2: Pastoral approach Jesus-style: Holy Father invites "accused" to Vatican for a friendly chat with a listening ear in spirit of understanding, compassion and LOVE.

    Posted By: Noel Cook

24. Your recall is faulty, Conor. Blessed Mary MacKillop was excommunicated by the Bishop of Adelaide. She then appealed to the Vatican which overruled him. Far from being a pre-requisite, as far as I am aware nobody has ever been beatified after having been excommunicated by the Vatican.
    
    Several commenters here don't seem to realise that excommunication is a medicinal remedy intended to make the sinner come to his senses and return to the faith. Nothing to do with any imagined "power play" or "running scared" (It seems some people have been reading too much Dan Brown and Geoff Robinson.)
    
    Pamela, you ask "What is excommunication?" Maybe you should have found out before telling us the Church has got it wrong. While you're at it you could try reading one the Pope's innumerable books or any of the other many "ways of bettering our spirituality" which Rome has produced, whose existence you were unaware of. (Like its innumerable charitable works.)
    
    You say "It wouldn't worry me to be excommunicated now as I am so disgusted with the institutional church. I know God would not excommunicate us and that is all that matters. It is time we began to rebel against Rome". In that case why do you insert the letters PBVM after your name, presumably to demand that we respect your status as a nun in the institutional Church? (I presume this means you are a nun - I apologise and please correct me if I'm wrong - although you didn't call yourself "Sister" and I'm pretty certain there has never been a Saint Pamela.)
    
    But if you're planning to quit the Church I urge you to at least first find out what you're quitting. Read the Vatican II documents for a start. The pretence of supposed "women-priests" did not "come out of Vatican II" as you seem to think.
    
    

    Posted By: Ronk

25. In terms of the scriptural ban on ordination of women, I think that we need to first ask ourselves, and convince ourselves what the scriptural basis behind the priesthood itself is - the reality is that it is pretty sketchy at best (I would think that the scriptural basis behind deacons is a lot stronger). In other words, what is the theology behind the ordination of priests ceremony as we know it? (apart from the fleeting reference in Timothy re: laying of the hands). There is no evidence whatsoever that Jesus himself instituted the rite of ordination, or indeed ordained anyone. We have to ask ourselves, if we support the ordination of women, on the basis that there is no scriptural evidence against it, that we believe that there IS scriptural evidence for the Christ instituted ordination ceremony? Is the support for women's ordination based on the fact that there is an objective underrepresentation of women insofar as authority goes in the Church, or is it the case that people think that there is scriptural basis that the three sacraments which are the sole domain of priests, namely Eucharist, Reconciliation and Last Rites can also be performed by women? I think that before people launch into arguments in support of the ordination of women, everyone should get it clear in their own minds what is the priesthood itself and question themselves whether Christ ordained anyone (male or female).

    Posted By: Neil

26. The barque of Peter is caught in a storm of our own making: raging over women priests, gays in seminaries, paedophile clergy and religious, priestless parishes, clericalism, institutional bullying, etc, etc. The accusations and counteraccusations are flying … but the Lord is asleep in the stern of the leaky tub – untouched by the violent rivalry threatening to swamp and drown the lot of us. And yet the Lord is asleep at the helm. Not only is he untouched by our violence, he is in control of the boat we’ve basically abandoned to the storm because we’re so caught up in fighting each other, so in thrall to the storm we’re whipping up and may well drown in – delusional though it is. Why? Please, let’s stop this stupid, insane storming. Listen to him: “Silence. Be still…. Oh ye of little faith…”

    Posted By: Jonah

27. Will the Vatican now excommunicate the
    Catholic priest, Fr Christian Von Wernich, who was sentenced to life in prison for collaborating in murders, kidnappings and torture during Argentina's 1976-1983 military
    dictatorship? He was was chaplain to the Buenos Aires police force. What about the magesterial teaching ( and practice ) of the Church -to use the words of one of your conservative correspondents- on this matter?
    
    Argentinian Catholics, especially families of the victims of this dictatorship, may see some serious inconsistency in the way in which excommunication is imposed by the Vatican. That's if we need excommunication atall -what about a bit of dialogue and listening for a change?
    
    
    

    Posted By: Conor Bradley

28. Ronk. You're spot on with your comments. People. There are too many of you out there who form your opinions based on tabloid magazines, hear-says, politically correct mumbo jumbos. You should seriously study, contemplate and give a slightest attempt to understand the reason, instead jumping to a conclusion that the church and the vatican is rotten.
    
    And as someone said in the posts, if you don't like it, just leave it! For eg, if you are vegetarian, don't complain or sue a restaurant for selling meat! Just go to a vegetarian restaurant! If you are in USA, you follow its laws and traditions. If you are UK, Australia, Thailand, Japan, Somalia, or whatever the country, you can't break their particular law and quote "But in other countries...!"
    
    In other words, don't try to change what is good to suit your own arguments and desires...especially all the women who advocate women priests are all married, with kids, and don't have a slightest intention of ever becoming a priest.
    
    This is just another case of politically correct feminism, nothing more. Back in the days, individuals suffered for the good of the society. Thesedays, the society is expected to suffer for the individuals. We've lost too much already through this.
    
    What's next? You can't call woman a woman and a female a female because those words were formed on top of man and male?

    Posted By: Joey

29. Pamela. According to your post, it is "the time to rebel against Rome". Presuming you succeed, what happens after that then? Say people rebel against Rome, the Vatican, the Roman Catholic Church, win the battle, overthrow the Cardinals, the Bishops and the Pope...what will you do then? Could you say what remains of it, or how you rebuild it is still the Catholic Church?
    
    Does United States call themselves "The New Britain"? Do they identify themselves as British?
    
    What you are asking for here is the death of the Catholic Church. Rebel all you want. I sure won't join you as I dare not stand in front of God after I die with the blood of the Catholic Church staining my hands.
    
    Your problem and argument is petty and no better than pot smokers proposing that marijuana be made legal in Australia because it is in Canada and Netherlands.

    Posted By: joey

30. For those who believe that the church has, since earliest times, ordained only men, there is archeological evidence in catacomb frescoes and funerary monuments that women were ordained deacons, priests and bishops as late as the ninth century. This evidence is accepted by scholarly archeologists as reliable and respectable.

    Posted By: Josephine GREGORY

31. Just where is God in all this? In the 80s and 90s we were asked to pray for more vocations (ie. priests) in the church. Next there was an unprecedented number of women and married men who sincerely felt they were called to the priesthood.
    I was awed by the creative manner in which God answered the prayers of the church and its people. But now it seems that God should toe the dogmatic line, and only some answers are acceptable!
    If we truly believe in God, then it seems to me we should be willing to accept that which God sends us. I feel deeply disillusioned that our supposed leaders cannot walk the talk.

    Posted By: beth rees

32. So much anger in some of the feedback over this issue. I wonder what goes on in the minds of the feminist (usually "religious") women when they attend Mass. Do they, like a "consecrated virgin" I was speaking to in London years ago, feel angry at the exclusive language, and the fact that they are not up there centre stage? Instead of that, I, a woman and happy to be one, am filled with the wonder of what is happening on the altar. I hear not the language, but the truth that God indeed loved the world so much, that He gave us His only Son. Leave your anger, dear ladies. You do yourselves and others harm.

    Posted By: Ro Ro

33. Will it solve the problem? I am stunned about all the experts in this matter! Surely, this stance taken by Church authorities illustrates clearly the fear of those who make the rules! Two questions: Did Jesus lay down in writing a blueprint of the type of Church we have today? And secondly which organisation or corporation of the Twenty-First Century does not have women in their top Management?(a situation unthinkable some fifty years ago! The modern interpretation and exegis of what Jesus meant is one of the duties of our teachers which appears sadly lacking!

    Posted By: Peter Meury

34. Each and everyone of us has a role and a Vocation that we are called to. It is important that we heed God's call and obey his will. If God wanted women to enter the priesthood, he would not have chosen all 12 of his apostles to be men. That being said, women have a very important role in the Church - after all the Blessed Virgin Mary was chosen to bear the Son of God. She is humankind's only boast for she is immaculately conceived and without sin.
    
    Anyone who knows and understands Catholicism knows and understands the love, respect and honour the Blessed Virgin Mother receives. So, how can we Catholics be accused of oppressing and sidelining women?
    
    Pray that God will grant you a spirit of obediance. For everything that you have--your life, your soul, your time, and all your possessions belongs to him. Live your life for His greater glory and not your own.

    Posted By: T. Dang

35. It is NOT Rome's job to "respond with the time" as some writers have expressed. It is Rome's job to safeguard the truth, teachings, doctrines and traditions that have been handed down to us by Jesus Christ our Lord, God, and Saviour.
    
    Look at the state of the U.S. culture for a great example how "changing with the time" has affected our country's morals.
    
    God is truth. God does not change with time, therefore, truth can not change with time.

    Posted By: T. Dang

36. Is priesthood about management? is it about power? Yes. Should it be? No.
    By all means let's share power and responsibility evenly between men and women. But don't let's entrench clericalism by making ordination to holy orders the means of achieving "equality".

    Posted By: DD

37. Thank you Ro Ro and other female writers who know or strive to understand the truth. I feel a deep pity for those who have their anger and hatred consume their commonsense and integrity for all they're worth.
    
    The three vows all ordained clergy take in Catholicism are vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
    
    The key here is obedience people. We've had the politically correct "You can achieve anything if you set your mind to it" "There are no such thing as wrong answers", etc, drummed into our heads for too long. Too many of us, without having done anything to deserve any authority or claim, claim that "we" know the best, and "we" hold the key, and "our" thoughts are the truth.
    
    That is not obedience, people. As a young Catholic, I have areas that I think should change. BUT!!! BUT!!! having said that, I trust that the Pope, who has lived 4 times as longer than I have, and who was elected by among other equally elder Cardinals, not self-appointed tells me his thoughts must encompass the vision of the church in mind.
    
    For me, all I can think of is the church life for youth. For you feminist female priest lobbyists out there, that's all you can think about...female rights.
    
    But as I always say, this is man who took on the biggest job on this planet at the age of 79...well beyond the retiring age for the average people. He is surrounded by similar brililant minds who have seen many more daylights than we have.
    
    And to this, I let go of my own desires and ambitions to trust that their decisions will be so much better than mine, with the good of the church in their minds.
    
    Yes. The church must exist to serve the people. But the people must exist to serve the church. We can't just expect service, like some dole-bludgers on a welfare, and keep complaining and wanting the church to change to meet our tailor suited needs.
    
    Obedience and sacrifice, people.
    
    Jesus, in whom we all believe in, didn't tell his Father, "Father, well...you know I love you and I'll follow your will...but this death thing sux. I refuse to die!"
    
    For those who have children, how do you feel when your 7 year old argues he/she knows more about the world than you do? Our thoughts are that limited and narrow visioned and selfish. Do not be so arrogant, audacious and misguided into thinking that what you feel and need "MUST" be addressed in order for the church to be a "True" church again.
    
    If it did bend to your every request, it will not be a church would it? It will be no more than some grovelling slave to serve what you please. Is this the vision of the church you seek to create? Where you become its Gods?
    
    Obedience...it's simple as that...as tall as your petty pride may stand.

    Posted By: joey

38. Thank You beth rees! You present evidence that the Rome will surely ignore - sadly. Unfortunately, all this controversy is exactly why I'm not a catholic! I choose to follow the authority of scripture itself, not a church controlled by a group of of men who think they have the divine authority to dispense it as they see fit. They can be wrong and indeed have been wrong down through history. Their views have changed through the years as they have been brave enough to re-read scripture and realise they have been wrong. It took great men like Luther and Wesley to awake Christians to the fact that they have been greatly misled by those in authority in Rome. But Surprise! Surprise ! scripture has never changed. God's word never changed. He Himself emphasised that. Where, I ask all those "obedient" Catholics, does scripture forbid women from becoming priests? And let's not cite Paul in this. He would rather you didn't marry at all, although he was once married (Yes, read your scripture!!)
    
    My message is Obey God and His Word ONLY!

    Posted By: Robert D

39. I have done much research on this subject and I am yet to come up with a compelling argument as to why women cannot be ordained. It is true that Jesus only selected men to be his Apostles; however I find that it’s a logical fallacy to assume that this means only men can be priests. It’s likely that it was a smart move on Jesus’ behalf as, two thousand years ago, men were more likely to be respected (particularly in religious circles).
    
    Certainly tradition is one of the great things that defines our Church, but is holding onto tradition for the sake of tradition a good idea (particularly when logic is apparently not taken into account)? Indeed, it is rigid adherence to such tradition that is pushing the youth of today further away from the Church.
    
    There are also people saying “Well if you don’t like it, leave it!” While the Church was founded by God, it is currently run by humans (who may have inspiration and guidance by the Holy Spirit, but regular people nonetheless). It is a Church with rules and regulations that are constantly changing and evolving along with humans and society. It is therefore not only ridiculous but hypocritical to say that the Church should not and cannot change – as on numerous occasions the Church has undergone revisions of its own rules.
    
    Finally, at Ronk, I’m sure any educator will tell you that the best way to teach a lesson (or to use your metaphor, administer “medicine”) is not to simply punish someone for breaking the rules. Sure, fear of excommunication may be an effective deterrent that in no means makes it the best. For God would certainly want us to adhere to his rules out of love, rather than fear.

    Posted By: Tim H

40. To answer your questions, Peter:
    1. Not in writing, He taught it to His Apostles orally.
    2. Thank God, He did not tell them to model His Church on the organisations and corporations of the 21st or any other century.

    Posted By: Ronk

41. The rule is infallibly decreed in Ordinatio Sacerdotalis and it is a position supported by Holy Scripture, The Sacred Tradition of The Church and its historical norms - an all male priesthood.
    
    The fear and the anger belong with those who cannot accept the discipline of the rule. It is the hallmark of the secular postmodernist era. Very few like to obey rules as they think that they have a "right" to everything in life and a "right" to behave as they think fit. This has gone as far as men who now believe they have a "right" to become women and vice versa because medical science makes it possible. Once disobedience to Almighty God's Will sets in then one is never very far from idolatry of self and self-will. How abundantly this is illustrated in society at large and in some of the comments here.
    
    Almighty God has the right to our obedience and this is amply expressed by The Church His Only Son, Our Blessed Lord established with the sole authority to do just that. Whether you like it or not there can never be women priests. Amen.

    Posted By: HMacK

42. When Lumen Gentium (32) says "There is, therefore, in Christ and in the Church no inequality on the basis of race or nationality, social condition or sex, because "there is neither Jew nor Greek: there is neither bond nor free: there is neither male nor female. For you are all 'one' in Christ Jesus", what is it actually saying? If the Church is the sacrament of Christ, in what way is the dogmatic insistence on a patriarchal tradition an effective sign of Christ's presence and grace? I simply don't understand it and my patience is wearing thin. Decades of loyalty to the Church as a sign of Christ's presence despite the human flaws are rewarded with reactionary negativity of the kind we've just seen from the CDF. I used to be proud to say I was a Catholic; now I feel uncomfortable. Thank God there are still saintly workers out there in the field, people who go about the Lord's work, largely unconcerned by what the Vatican bureaucracy says and does. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love, because there doesn't seem to be much sign of it in the CDF.

    Posted By: Poppenhauer

43. I must be getting old, I feel that I am sick and tired of the thick-headed people who state their viewpoint on Church teaching as if they have been given divine insight and can dogmatically state what God wants. Jesus told us quite clearly who is the head of the Church on earth - the Pope, not some priest here or some nun there. Read the Church documents, study the lives of the saints. All feminists fail to understand the greatest woman of all time - Our Lady, the Blessed mother of God. What was her motto: "I am the handmaid of the Lord ..." Why do they keep ignoring how she lived, if anyone deserved to be a priest it is Our Lady, but she isn't, she did not want to be. She brought Christ into the world and she keeps doing that. People may be entitled to their opionions but please speak with some knowledge of what you are condemning. Do you really think the Church leaders are fools and have no understanding of scripture and tradition? You insult the Pope and you insult all good Catholics, who love their Church and like Mary follow its wisdom.

    Posted By: Mark

44. The Catholic church is not a monopoly. Those that disagrea with her teachings are free to leave and go to another denomination. That goes for 'converts' that want to be married priests also. The Church has a position as married deacons for those that truly convert.

    Posted By: d meadows

45. It has always astounded me that people call them selves Catholic but do not follow the laws of the Catholic faith. If you belonged to a secular organisation and said "I belong but I'm not going to obey the rules" you would soon be kicked out. Surely it is the same for our Catholic faith. Time we took a stand on these issues. Good on the Vatican!

    Posted By: Nola

46. I find more than enough ways by my feminine uniqueness to serve God through the church without the encumbrance of an option to serve thru the ordained priesthood. Men and women have special talents which enable them to perform specific gender roles which complement one to another

    Posted By: joan graham

47. Jesus, the Son of God became Man (not woman). Jesus chose 12 men(not women) to be His Apostles and gave Peter, and thus the Church, the power to loose and bind. God did not denigrate women when He chose men to be His first priests. He raised the status of women when He chose to send His son to Earth through a woman- Mary. Why do we mortals want to understand the "mind" of God? or even think that He changes to suit our wants - that He is made in our likeness?? We may not know the "Mind" of God but He definitely knows us and I thank Him for building His Church on the firm Apostolic foundations that led to the Magisterium which has kept, and continues to keep,the Deposit of Faith true over the centuries. Modernism will go down as one of the great heresies and I wish the Modernists would just leave the Church, as the former protesters did, if they don't like it and form their own Church where they can have all the priestesses that they wish.

    Posted By: Maureen

48. So many issues that the Catholic church cannot contend with, womens' ordination is merely the tip of an iceberg. Christ was in and of his times, we can surely all agree. Suggesting that we do not need to be 'christ' to our times is appalling. That mother church does not accept its many errors and 'spins' must surely lose many 'faithful'. Remember responsibility for your salvation is your responsibility, not that of mother church, with Rome to-day you are as alone as Christ on the cross.

    Posted By: bill adkins

49. Sorry Bill Adkins, I surely do NOT aggree that "Christ was in and of His times". As St Paul said, "Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever". And as He Himself said, "Before Abraham ever was, I AM."
    He is NOT sitting up in Heaven slapping Himself in the forehead saying, "Dammit! I forgot to ordain any women! I let myself be led astray by those sexist men of my time and culture! If only I'd been as wise as some of the Australian website commenters of the 21st century who are intelligent enough to tell St peter and all the other Popes I installed that they got it totally wrong!"
    
    No. Women cannot be priests in Christ's Church just as men cannot bear children. It is not a "ban" or a "policy", it's an impossibility.
    
    It's obvious that even the commenters here vilifying and damning the Popes and bishops, refer always to supposed "women priests", not "priestesses". They unwittingly declare by they very language that deep down they know that a priestess is only possible in paganism and that a woman can be a Christian priest only by "becoming a man" as if this were possible.
    
    Tim H, you think that excommunication is the wrong discipline to use in this case? So if you were Pope, how would YOU make these people come to their senses, when they have chosen to blatantly ignore and thumb their noses at every other instruction, warning, teaching, admonition and explanation?

    Posted By: Ronk

50. Bill Adkins. To say Christ was in and of his time, is like saying truth is subjected to change with time and context. This is a similar belief that has thrown this society into the current chaos of abortion, rampant promiscuity, divorce, depression, spiritual deprivation. There are core truths of humanity that will and can never change. Jesus stood for this truth. It doesn't matter whether we live in 21st century, or those who live in 400th century. Ignoring or morphing these truths to suit ourselves will only drive us to our own peril.
    
    Also, do the general public out there who say "Who are these men (the Catholic clergy) to interpret the Bible as they seem fit and use it for their power"...who are you then to say "Jesus said this?..God wants this?" Who are you? What have you done for the humanity? What have you done to live your life apart from fending for yourself, your close family and friends? Even if you have done so, I am sure you did not make the sacrifice and the commitments these priests and nuns made to live their life in poverty, chastity and obedience. This is a sacrifice no one wants to take, yet, when they rightfully exercise their authority gained through this sacrifice, us common people who delight in flourishing common easy life love to want to feel that we know more than them, don't we?
    
    Also, Robert D.
    
    You said your message was to obey God and God's word only?
    
    Now...what kind of faith...what good does your faith do to anyone when you have it for your own?
    
    All non-Catholic Christians, particularly the more recent Pentecostals and Evengelicals pride themselves in the literal interpretation of the Bible. But freak me dead! Note the word interpretation! It is humanly impossible to "NOT" interpret all that we read and perceive.
    
    The only difference between the Catholics and the non-Catholics are...Catholics have the school of Cardinals, Pope, Bishops and other clergy who together interpret the Bible. Therefore, no one man's idea can be purely presented.
    
    This is not the case with non-Catholic Christians. Whatever the pastor says...it is the truth. You say you don't believe in Pope. To all non-Catholic Churches, their pastor is the pope. His/her word the gold. Ain't that ironic?
    
    And how would you ever defend the pastor of Hillsong Brian Houston saying things like "Jesus came to embrace the poor, not poverty" and "You can do more if you have more" when asked about Hillsong's mega wealthy status and its prosperitarian stance (this absurd belief that faith in God will lead to prosperity, success and wealth)?
    
    How wrong of interpretation of the Bible, a few verses that say "You will prosper" is that? And how dare can you say that the Catholic clergy interpret it as they please for their own agenda?
    
    If it were so, Jesus would've been born a super rich king, with power and might to save the world from evil...not in some mangy manger next to animals.
    
    You non-Catholic Christians, with your thought, theology and philosophy that was only born with Billy Graham in the 60s have some serious maturing to do.
    
    (Having said that, I still respect the Anglicans, more traditional Protestants, who geniunely formed out of the truly dark time in the Catholic Church.)

    Posted By: Joey

51. There are lots of things wrong with women being fixated on becoming priests. One factor, that troubles me, is some women's belief that serving as an ordained priest is the pinnacle of public service to the Church. Many amazing people in the history of the Catholic Church, were never priests. St Francis of Assisi, Saint Catherine of Sienna, Mother Teresa... i really wonder why some women are so fixated on the priesthood. In a perverse way, they are chasing the very 'power' they perceive as being paternal and unequally shared. Too many women, I believe, use this chase as an excuse to not simply get on with serving the Lord with all of their heart, soul and mind. Another point, is the bitterness expressed here towards the Bishops and Church. We must have an element of trust of our leaders, or we should count our losses and leave. It ain't perfect, but the Catholic Church contains many good things, and many good people, including Bishops. I believe our Bishops have to stand firm on issues that will bring great division... Australians, historically hate authority figures, and it doesn't surprise me that people 'spit chips' when the Vatican pronounces anything. To Catholic women, seeking ordination I say, "Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added unto you."

    Posted By: Cathy R.

52. Why do women want to take the role of men?? The women have also a role to play in the Church's work of the Apostolate but certainly not "Priesthood" so I don't understand this heresy of "woman priest!!!". Pope John Paul ll expounded thoroughly in His letter -"Why priesthood is only reserved for men" -about this controversial issue without diminishing the importance of the women's role in the Church. So enough was heard, The Church has ruled and as Catholics we must be obedient.

    Posted By: Berna Samia

53. "...now I feel uncomfortable", yes because you are inclining towards rebellion against The Church and this is a tendency toward division which Holy Scripture says is of Satan. Just obey the rule and then learn the mystery of freedom under the law. Women have a highly dignified role given them, so do men. There is equality in the Holy Ghost but there is not equality in their respective roles, which are infallibly defined by The Church in regard to the priesthhood. No-one has a right to be a priest - it is a vocation, a call of The Lord who does not summon women to be priests but men. Only those who cannot obey this feel uncomfortable. The Scripture you quote you give a false interpretation. This is why feministic women have made the priesthood a political issue and an illusory benchmark of equality. This is an erroneous perspective on measuring equality.

    Posted By: HMacK

54. As a Catholic woman, I can only pity these women and pray for them.They have such a poor understanding of the Sacraments and obviously no real relationship with Jesus Christ in The Blessed Sacrament. I can only hope they will be re-united with The Mystical Body of Christ in His Church through the Sacrament of Penance & Reconciliation where they will meet the Mercy of Christ in the person of His priest after being pardoned by the Apostolic See.
    To compare this arrogant behaviour with what happened to Bl. Mary MacKillop (Mother Mary of The Cross) shows complete lack of knowledge of what happened to her. Her humble acceptance of the injustice until her vindication is a far cry from the pride & arrogance of these women. She was never unfaithful to The Church nor did she advertise the wrong done to her( by one misguided bishop )all over the place with photo opportunities mocking The Church and in so doing mocking Jesus Christ and His Sacraments.
    The Sacraments bring the Divine Life of God into the human soul when they are validly carried out. To abuse the most sacred part of our Faith- The priesthood is terrible. No valid priest , no Jesus Christ truly present Body Blood Soul & Divinity in the Blessed Sacrament - they want to settle for a piece of bread - Sad people.
    May God have mercy on their souls.
    One wonders if they were really ever Catholics or just political plants? They certainly haven't been informed Catholics. If they could humble themselves to read The catechism of The Catholic Church perhaps they might learn what Sacraments really are. If they prayed before The Blessed Sacrament for one hour each day after returning to The Faith they will realize what they have done.

    Posted By: Cecilia

55. HMacK, I think Poppenhauer means that people in general used to admire and applaud her for being a Catholic, but now she is afraid to tell them she is Catholic because they would criticise and attack her and the Church. I would simply invite her to reflect on Matthew 5:10-11.
    
    Joey, I appreciate your excellent comments and enthusiasm, but two corrections:
    
    1. Yes it is exasperating when people insist on continuing to call themselves "Catholic" whilst saying and doing many things which are totally contrary to the Catholic Church's doctrines. But we must avoid the temptation to say "If you don't like it, just leave it!" Quitting the Church is a mortal sin.
    
    Instead we need to remind them that they like all Catholics must continually repent, confess our sins, contemplate God's Revelation of the Truth in Christ and its inerrant expression in Scripture and the infallible teaching of the Church. No matter how far they seem from the Spirit of Truth, we (and they) must not lose hope that they will come to see the fullness of the Truth into which they were baptised.
    
    2. You are mistaken re Anglicans. They did not "genuinely form out of the truly dark time in the Catholic Church". They formed because Henry VIII wanted to commit adultery and pretend he had not, and because he and a few others lusted after power and wealth. LATER they made a lot of noise about some abuses which some clergy had committed, just as has occurred in every age, and which the Church had already vigorously stamped out by the time that the Anglican leaders decided definitively not to let the English people return to Catholicism.
    
    In my opinion the Church has had many times which were more "truly dark" than the time in the early 16th century immediately preceding the invention of the Church of England. Indeed in many respects it was a golden age with for example many great Catholic thinkers such as Erasmus, John Colet and St Thomas More, and with the founding of vast new branches of the Church in the "New World" (the Americas).

    Posted By: Ronk

56. Strange when one considers that Jesus himself was anointed by a woman - Mary of Bethany - to enable him to become the Messiah !
    D.

    Posted By: c

57. If God wanted female priests He would have made His mother the first! I support excommunication.

    Posted By: Michael Barry

58. As I understand the definition of a sacrament,matter,form and intention, it would seem ridiculous to keep asking about women priests. It's not in our tradition. Women have a special role as do men in our Faith. Learn our catechism first and the rest will fall into place. Christ didn't establish a democracy,he fullfilled the Mosaic law and opened the gates of Heaven for us miserable sinners who follow Him and His Church He established. There are plenty of other "churches" who welcome anyone for any reason because they are not the One,True,Church. Sad fact but they are available. Its God's way of respecting our own free will and we are always called to learn our Faith and find God when we are ready to submit to Him.

    Posted By: Paul Koch

• » Advertise in CathNews

Email to Friend Please fill out the following details (fields marked with a * are mandatory):
Send To Email Address*:
Send To Name *:
Sent By Email Address*:
Sent By Name *:
Text to include in email:
Captcha validation:	please enter the code above:

^ Page Top

Comment on this article

More from this section

1. Seminary numbers up as world Church grows

   The Catholic Church is growing substantially throughout the world with seminary numbers also on the increase according to recently released Vatican statistics.

2. "Milestone" conference at Vatican for Darwin anniversary

   The Pontifical Council will organise a major conference next year to mark the 150th anniversary of the publication of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species.

3. Long canonical wait ends for Neo-cats

   After five years work, the Holy See has finally approved the canonical statutes of the Neocatechumenal Way.

4. No new communion kneeling norms

   Key Vatican officials have dismissed suggestions of an impending change to the practice of receiving Communion while standing despite four dozen people receiving the Eucharist on the tongue while kneeling from Pope Benedict on the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ.

5. Pagan tomb at St Peter's reopened

   A luxurious ancient pagan tomb located in a necropolis under St Peter's Basilica has been reopened to the public after a year of restoration.