What reason is given by the Catholic Church for not allowing the ordination of women?

Siskin

The main argument appears to be because Jesus chose only men as his disciples. http://www.religioustolerance.org/femclrg10.htm Nov 21 03, 3:16 PM

Hamlet.

Also, in the Mass, the Priest acts as the sacred representitive of Christ - Because Jesus was male, so must be the Priest... Nov 21 03, 3:41 PM

mk2norwich

Also, it could well have something to do with St. Paul's words in 1st Timothy chapter2, verses 11 and 12: "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence." ...And ladies, no hate mail, if you please! I was merely quoting the Good Book. Nov 21 03, 3:50 PM

Doug1230

Actually Norry, St. Paul is speaking not about the priesthood, but about the proper conduct to be had in liturgical assemblies. For the reason he offers why women should not be giving instructions he mentions how God created Adam and Eve. Clearly he is not writing about Christ and the priesthood of Christ, although in an indirect and rather remote way one might see a possible reason for Christ’s not giving the Church the authority to ordain women. Nov 21 03, 4:01 PM

mk2norwich

This is hotly debated, Doug, as I'm sure you can imagine. I have trawled a number of Christian websites, and with regards to the question on the ordination of women, these verses are often quoted, as it seems that there are plenty who believe that they do indeed teach that women may not hold the priesthood. ...I'll stop there, as I'm getting into "chatboard" mode again! Nov 21 03, 4:07 PM

Doug1230

People believe a lot of things... All I'm saying is that particular interpretation is rejected by both the Catholic Church and most Protestant churches. But you're right about this being chat board stuff...! Nov 21 03, 4:20 PM

Siskin

Probably a subject for the chat rooms but since Doug asked the question here goes - I've also heard and read this many times. The early church meetings were very noisy affairs with the women shouting out questions comments, and generally making a nuisance of themselves, so Paul gave these very commonsense instructions just to give some order and peace to the services. Nov 21 03, 4:24 PM

Stew54

Siskin, never was Paul's wisdom more evident than on this subject. A personal favourite is this: "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their husbands in every thing" (Ephesians 5:22-24) ... though I hope all this stuff is deleted as "chatroom nonsense" before Mrs Stew sees it! Nov 21 03, 4:40 PM

Siskin

Stew - Isn't it amazing that these seem to be the only verses that my husband remembers as well.LOL!! Nov 21 03, 4:45 PM

Stew54

I'm betting that the other verses Siskin's husband can remember are these: "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God" (1 Corinthians 11:3). "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord" (Colossians 3:18). Any time you like with the delete key, McG. Mrs Stew is home, and I know who is the head of things around here! Nov 21 03, 5:10 PM