You Cannot Make a Practical Arguement without having it be Theological: Why a Women's Priesthood is a non-Existant Argument

In this day and age, many people come up with some, shall we say, interesting ideas. On any number of issues, people will suggest something. Somethings on the surface seem very practical. In fact if you look at them through a societal lens, they are practical. That being said, the Church, while being part of this world is at the same time not of this world.

One such topic is the priesthood. In recent times there has been a great outcry of the fact that women cannot be ordained to the priesthood. Many have made arguments for it. At first glance some of these arguments make sense, much like other arguments that seem practical. We live in society in which there has been a movement towards and push for egalitarianism. So in this new society, there is no reason that there should not be a woman priesthood, right? Hold the phone, we missed something important. If you have not guessed already, the thing we are missing is theology.

That is right, theology is essential in making any religious argument. If we look at theology, we find a very good theological basis for an all-male priesthood. On the other hand, there is no theological basis for a women priesthood. Anyone who is looking for what goes against it should look at some key church documents regarding the subject. I am putting three in: http://www.newadvent.org/library/docs_df76ii.htm; http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_15081988_mulieris-dignitatem_en.html; http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_22051994_ordinatio-sacerdotalis_en.html
There are probably people reading this wondering how I connect this to faith and reason. The answer is really simple.

The fact of the matter is that an argument made about an issue of faith is not practical unless it has theology to back it up. The argument for a woman's priesthood is no different. Beyond that, it is not a matter of superiority of the sexes. In fact, man and woman are absolutely equal in dignity. They are not, however, equal in role. This is not to say that a woman living out the calling of God (wherever He calls her) is a lesser calling, because it is not. It is different. And for feminists who say this is sexism, my response is: is it sexism to say there are things that a woman can do that a man cannot? In the same God wills that men be able to do certain things a woman cannot.

There are some who will say that Jesus appointed men to be apostles due to the times. These same people will say that because Jesus defied conventions, we should. Well it is true that Jesus defied conventions and that is why he was crucified. This is however, where pro-woman priesthood advocates hang themselves. Again there is an ignorance to reason. Jesus was never afraid to go against the grain. If anyone in history were to ordain a priestess, it would have been Him. Based on this fact, we can definitively state that Jesus did not chose men because of societal constructs.

There is the supernatural aspect which I have touched on, but not really gone into great detail on.. We as Catholics believe that Jesus was both human and divine. Simply put, true God and true man. If we take His nature as God into account, we have to say that He had some other reason. Will we ever fully understand it? Probably not, but it is faith to trust in God. After all, He is infinitely smarter than we are. We humans do not have the power to change something God established. God will work how He works and we are just his servants following His command.

Suffering: Truth and Importance

This past Sunday, Fr. Antinarelli gave one of the best homilies I have heard preach. Yes, father said a very true statement about insurance companies (he said that they are "legalized thievery"). More importantly he talked about suffering. He talked of the cross. The cross, the tool of our Lord's death gives meaning to our suffering. He reminded all that there is spiritual fruits to suffering. He used the example of John Paul II. As a result of an assassination attempt, John Paul II developed Parkinson's Disease. Many called for his resignation, but he did not give up the throne of Peter. Rather, he accepted his suffering with love and out of love of the Churches. He showed that life has value.

Now these ideas that Father talked about are by no means original. In fact they have been written about preached about and spoken of. That being said, in this day and age, to be reminded again that suffering does, in fact have a purpose. In this secular world of ours, many people use suffering as a way to disprove God. However, we must understand that while God does not create suffering. He allows suffering to test the faithful. This is a way to see how faithful one is. He does so to remind us how much we need Him. It is especially so in the case of non-believers. Let us take Haiti. As my friend and mentor, David Higbee stated (I think I'm not getting this exactly right, but the general idea is there), "Haiti has been ruined by Voodoo". Here we have a country governed by a corrupt government with the most anti-God sentiments possible. This government was ill prepared for a natural disaster. The results were, as we all saw, catastrophic. It is in times of suffering that God gives us comfort. Now returning to the center point, we must always focus on the cross. For this we understand that suffering has a greater purpose. We do not choose our suffering but rather we accept it.

In bringing up the example of John Paul II, Father Antinarelli gave us a modern day example of accepting one's suffering. John Paul II never resented his suffering, rather, he kept his eyes on the cross and thus became a shining light. It is in John Paul II's acceptance of his suffering that we are reminded that our suffering is nothing compared to the mortification and suffering of Christ. As we go upon our Lenten journey, we are ever mindful of the cross. Let us always remember in times of trouble that we should not complain, but rather fix our eyes on the cross, and allow Christ to comfort us.

Hello

So for my first blog post I just want to say hey. Just so people know what I'm about. I'm a recent convert from Judeism to Catholicsm. My journey to Christianity has been as the blog title says, grace personified. I have been been very to be exposed to the orthodox practice of the faith. Through this I have seen the depth and beauty of the faith and have come to understand why the Church teaches what it does and what gives it the authority to teach.

My posts will often based on my opinion of a homily I heard, or to address an issue pertinent to the faith that I'd like to expound upon. I hope you enjoy.

In Christ,
Jon Gillenson