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Religious beliefs about the role of women
Christian beliefs about the role of women in Christian communities
Religious beliefs about the role of women
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The Roman Catholic Church has without fail refused to ordain women as Priests; this practice dates back centuries. B.A. Robinson states, “The Pope has declared as infallible the teaching that the Church cannot ordain women to the priesthood now or at any other time in the future.” (Robinson) I think the ordination of women to the priesthood should be allowed for the following reasons there is no scriptural evidence in support of exclusion; Jesus’ choosing all male Apostles did set the tone for future denial of women in a leadership role. There is a severe decline in the number of priests with an increase number of Catholics and The New Testament brought about changes with it a new priesthood was established. The introduction of Vatican II rewrote much of our Catholic Church’s tradition; however, women’s ordination was not one of them. In addition, early evidence has been uncovered to support women’s ordination as deacons, priests, and bishops. Evolution and cultural change demand change within the Catholic Church. If the Church does not reconsider their stance on women's ordination, the Archdiocese will have no other alternative then closing additional parishes throughout the United States. Opening the priesthood to women and those with a calling will lessen the priest shortage and need for closing parishes. I come to you Father Gene asking your assistance in appealing the Archdiocese to reconsider what historically has been the norm of excluding women from ordination into Priesthood. According John Wijngaards (Wijngaards) in 1976, the international biblical experts of the Pontifical Biblical Commission concluded, with a majority of twelve to five, no scriptural objections to the priestly ordination of women existed. ... ... middle of paper ... ...neralibus Title III General Decrees and Instructions." December 2007. "L "Osservatore Romano". 6 April 2011 . VI, his Holiness Pope Paul. http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/. 18 November 1965. 11 April 2011 . Wijngaards, John. Association for the Rights of Catholics In the Church. 17 September 1998. 10 April 2011 . Williams, Mary E. Gale Group. 2006. 18 March 2011 .
Journal of Ecumenical Studies, 19(1), 69-84. Heim, D. (1996). The 'Standard'. Phil Jackson, Seeker in Sneakers. Christian Century, 133(20), 654-656.
To say that the religious power of women was reduced, is of course, to suggest that they held power in first place. In the early Christian church, women had great influence, and in fact held several offices: deaconess, widow, presbyter, and wives of clergy. Praying for the congregation, instructing female catechumens, baptizing women, teaching doctrine, and consecrating the Eucharist were just some of the responsibilities of these early female church officials (Ute, 53). But by approximately 750 C.E. women had lost these major roles in the Church, as well as the power and influence they once had.
Rausch, Thomas P. "Chapter 9: A Truly Catholic Church." Towards a Truly Catholic Church: an
Regardless of its weaknesses, the book Women, Church, God, by Rosado, is a great socio-biblical study on how women were treated in a patriarchal society, how Jesus lovingly treated them, and reading it is a great way to learn more about who God is. This book is written for the average Christian, or Seventh-day Adventist, as well as for Biblical scholars; it will help these audiences better understand these topics, and help them form an opinion about many controversial topics in Christian society today, such as women’s ordination and the church. This book provides a satisfying journey, full of many Biblical examples of Christ’s love for His Church, and treatment of women; it is an excellent book worth reading.
Described as a “precious jewel” by Pope Paul VI, a vow of celibacy, abstaining from marriage and all sexual activity is required for those choosing a life of service in the Roman Catholic Church (Frazee 108). Perhaps one of the most long standing debates within the Roman Catholic Church is the issue of clerical celibacy, in particular for priests. Many ask, does compulsory celibacy for priest have any place in today’s modern world? Some will argue that compulsory celibacy for priest is essential for priest to adequately serve their parishioners as well as to faithfully serve God. While others suggest that this is an antiquated unnatural practice that is harmful for not only the priest but for the Roman Catholic Church. However, in order to adequately answer this question, it is imperative to understand the history of compulsory clerical celibacy in the Roman Catholic faith, as well as the reasoning for the implementation of this practice among clerics.
Stanley, George Edward. Pope John Paul II: Young Man of the Church. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks, 2005. Print.
Gonzalez, Justo L. 1984. The early church to the dawn of the Reformation. San Francisco: Harper & Row.
Although females in the Catholic Church carry out a number of important roles within their religious community, there are issues of equality still present. For example, women are not able to be ordained or even be able to vote for the election of a new Pope. By enforcing equality, every person will be satisfied and the risk of people rebelling against the Church is minimised. Furthermore, giving females even more roles will positively change the thoughts of other Christian denominations. It is evident that there are equality issues in the status of women in the Catholic Church, and it is of high importance that they should be able to advance as members of the Christian Community.
She helps illustrate a very important issue in the Catholic Church. Women have begun to populate positions within the Church, but none have broken through a “Glass Ceiling,” that keeps them from entering positions of power. The Church has long been Male Dominated for a number of reasons, not allowing women into teaching positions or positions of authority. She is the first non-ordained person to have power and jurisdiction within Vatican city. She also exemplifies a cultural shift that started with John Paul II, ended briefly with Pope Benedict XVI, and was restarted by the newest Pope, Francis. This cultural shift is probably tied to feminism…
Religion is powerful in that it controls followers’ behaviours and beliefs throughout their entire lives; it is a form of social control. Catholicism is one of the most widely known religions influencing more than 2 billion people around the world (Ross). Within Catholicism not everyone are seen as equals; men have greater privilege than women. The bible and church are from a male’s point of view (Christ 86) and passages within the bible are used to enforce a sexual hierarchy. In fact, the oppression of women begins with the first story in Genesis about creation, which portrays females as being inferior to men and even of an evil nature. This one passage is the main source of justification of oppression of woman in the church (Daly 13). The church and its teachings instil low self-esteem and low self-worth in women; it creates false identities that are supposed to be God’s plan (Daly 3). One has to wonder why women participate in the church and follow its teachings, and how women can overcome the oppression in the church.
Walsh, M. & Davis, B. ed. Proclaiming Justice and Peace: Papal Documents from ‘Rerum Novarum’ through ‘Centesimus Annus’. London: Collins, 1991.
The need for female preachers is evident. There is a niche for women in ministry. However the climate of the UPCI needs to change before there will be any shift upward in the number of licensures. There are things that the organization needs to address (polity issues, wording in the manual, etc.) before the climate can change. Indeed it seems that not enough people care about the issue. Perhaps the right people do not care or those who care are not making their voices heard. Whatever the case, there is a distinct need for women in ministry. There are too many women teaching Sunday school who have a call of God on their lives to evangelize or pastor. God calls without respect for age or sex, and it is high time that everyone recognized that fact.
“Today I appeal to the whole Church community to be willing to foster feminine participation in every way in its internal life. This is certainly not a new commitment, since it is inspired by the example of Christ himself….nevertheless, he also involved women in the cause of his kingdom; indeed he wanted them to be the first witnesses and heralds of his resurrection. In fact, there are many women who have distinguished themselves in the Church’s history by their holiness and hardworking ingenuity.”
THESIS: Should women be permitted to lead religious worship, such as music; should women be permitted to be a pastor; should women be allowed to hold a high administrative office; should women be allowed to serve and care for others? Women are human beings, and all humans were created to serve each other; however, mankind may have culturally set barriers and limitations on women which would not benefit women to serve in certain roles.
Bainvel, Jean. The New Catholic Encyclopedia. New York City: Robert Appleton Company, 1912. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15006b.htm (accessed September 23, 2011).