Why Women Can't Be Priests

Why can't women become Catholic priests? In this video, Dr. Christopher West explains how the real reason women can't be priests is beautifully illuminated by St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body.
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[@robertamansfield3375]

I'm a cradle catholic. My mom would tell me that, God blessed women by being able to directly participate in Divine Creation! That women were the most blessed of the semester because of this miracle. Mom told us that society didn't revere women, and society tells us that women are inferior. But GOD tells women they are highly prized! Mom said God let men become preists so they could participate in the Divine Creation of consecration of the Blessed Sacrement. I never felt inferior to men.. in fact I felt sorry for them. They risk their Ives as soldiers, work hard, die early and have a much harder time with chastity.

[@shreyarajput-singha5908]

That's the difference between Christianity & Our Hinduism

[@MrMercuryW]

Those who advocate for ordination of women in the Catholic Church do not understand Sacramental Theology. If Christ wanted women to be priests, why didn't he ordain His Mother Mary or Mary Magdalene as Apostles as well? And why did the Apostles only ordain men after that if it was clear that they also praised women in the Church (Such as Phoebe and Lydia)?, and they were well aware that many women in the Early Sees had mystical abilities as well. What is more logical is that they were instructed by Christ how Ordaining worked in the souls of men only, and their successors still continue that up to this day, in a similar fashion that other Sacraments have valid and invalid matter so does Holy Orders. Though perhaps the choice of there being only men has to do with sacrifice, and the physical guardianship over their parish and the sacraments, not to mention exorcism. At least Christ has other roles and abilities for women such as that of motherhood, what matters the most is that women are Saints anyway, certainly He gives women special gifts to serve unique roles in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church choosing many of them for special tasks that He doesn't give to men.

[@Bible33AD]

Who did the Apostles ordain?

[@Bible33AD]

What are the special tasks that Christ gives to women in the church that He does not give to men? Morherhood was not given to all women and was given also to other species. So Motherhood is not the answer to this question.

[@luisroa6341]

Is the most beautiful, breathtaking but most of logical and true explanation on this proverbial and ancient issue; why women can't be priest. I'm a practicing Catholic and I have never hear such a wonderful truth until now, thank-you from the bottom of my heart!

[@rachelespinoza6506]

Honest question: Jesus- who is the creator of the priesthood!- came into the world through the work of the Holy Spirit and Mary, a woman. He came into the world without the help of a man. Why must the Eucharist then be consecrated (come into the world) only by a man (who is of course, only able to do so through the Holy Spirit?)

[@tarmbruster1]

Breathtaking? wow.

[@dnaak]

@@rachelespinoza6506 Honest question - did you watch the video?

[@Anya1-21]

Finally, something that quells all doubts in my mind and heart about the impossibility of ordaining women to be priests. Before this, I struggled with my feminist ideology to accept this stance from the Catholic Church. This video has made it very clear and provided numerous logical points. Thank you Dr West.

[@janetlieb2507]

We were the first priests and priestesses! Mydoginists came and oppressed us!

[@raycano7706]

Uh, you’re being had. These word salads are very convincing, but it’s a ruse to keep in CONTROL and POWER to abuse in their country club as they wish.

[@DestionoConfabiloa]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SIMPLE EXPLANATION! I was looking for a good answer to share with my niece which was asking me about this👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

We're so glad it blessed you! Please pray for us.

[@DestionoConfabiloa]

@@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute i will pray for you 🙏🏼🛐

[@sebastianbolt6145]

Best most clear explanation ive ever heard.

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

We're glad it was helpful to you!

[@iqgustavo]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 01:25 🚻 The video addresses the question of why only men can be ordained as Catholic priests. 02:07 🌍 The natural difference between men and women is fundamental to the discussion, and it centers around the unique biological roles of men and women in procreation. 04:54 💉 Priesthood is not a career choice; it's a call to spiritual fatherhood, which is intrinsically connected to male biology. 08:05 🤝 Through baptism, both men and women share in the priesthood of all believers, but the specific call to spiritual fatherhood in the priesthood is reserved for men. 10:53 🚫 It is as impossible for a woman to be an ordained priest as it is for a man to become pregnant, highlighting the importance of recognizing and respecting the inherent differences between men and women. 12:17 🌟 Embracing the differences between men and women, without exaggeration or elimination, is essential for understanding God's plan and the beauty of being created male and female in the image of God.

[@TheTish]

I've never been upset that only men can be Priests. I don't think girls should be alter servers, either. Side note: I'm against Eucharistic ministers, and taking Communion in the hand.

[@esclashnikes]

I adhere and believe in all doctrine and dogmas of the church. I appreciate when Christopher west and St John Paul II explain them so we can understand. This is one I had wondered about thanks for this video. I had a question about the sacrament of holy orders. Why is it only for men? Why when women become nuns or sisters is it not considered the sacrament of holy orders?

[@jawhelan1]

I've wondered about this too

[@MAJESTY1962]

This answers the question completely and fully. Great Job!

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

Thank you for watching!

[@JPGoertz]

The best video on the topic I have seen. Thank you. Serious question: Can lay men be brides at the Eucharist even though physically they can never be brides / mothers, i.e. inseminated...

[@jaqian]

God the Father chose men to be priests in the Old Testament (only pagans has priestesses) and God again in the form of Jesus chose men to be priests in the New Testament. It is ordained by God.

[@matthewsasu7682]

That was a fundamental reason/explanation of why women cannot be priests. It is the man who gives the seed- not the woman. God bless you and thank you

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

You’re so welcome! We’re glad it was helpful. Please subscribe and share so that it reaches others!

[@a.k.4486]

Priesthood is the spiritual fatherhood. The same way, nuns are our spiritual mothers and sisters. Men can also be brothers. So fixing the unbalance issue in the church it is not about ordaining women as priest but rather to give more prominence to motherhood via a more extended woman ministry and more leadership (as you give the example @8:30, yes a ministry of "the symbol of the Church" reserved to women would make sense). Priesthood is really for men. This is so true that the Anglican ordained women priest are often called "father". I don't think this makes sense. They say it is not about the gender but rather the office. It is more than the office for the Catholic Church. It is about woman and man identity in God.

[@michaelhaywood8262]

Another point the Catholic Church has more nuns than it does priests, deacons and lay friars/monks put together.

[@user-xf7fl2qv4x]

Being a priest is not only about saying Mass or administering sacraments, inside the church, what a woman can do, technically speaking, but also to live exactly as Christ did as a man, i.e. going out to preach the Gospel, to look for the lost sheep, to conquer all kinds of evil, ideological and practical, and to sacrifice himself for others, with the psychological and physical strength that is innate to the nature of a man.

[@Dark6997]

You're wrong about the seminary the word seminary comes from latin meaning a breeding ground because it is a breeding ground for priests and was a termed originally used for all schools. The two sound similar because the word seminary comes from the latin for a seed plot and the word semen is the latin for seed. Also what you said about the code of canon law that itself draws from the Council of Nicea (I believe it was Nicea someone correct me if I'm wrong) which said that someone who castrated themselves should be removed by priest although if they were castrated against their will it was alright.

[@lovelyandsmartcommentator5130]

I've been told all my life that I have the TEMPERAMENT of my FATHER....sensitive and emotional.

[@TheHoggopogo]

Just a note: you cite the 1917 Code of Canon Law for a pretty hinge-part of your argument. We are no longer under the 1917 Code, but the 1983 Code. I can't find anything about castration or the inability to inseminate being grounds for disqualification. I would consider this for your argument, as I believe there are better directions you can take rather than citing an outdated Code.

[@britru3493]

I appreciated your comment and was intrigued myself so I looked into it. The 1983 Code does include the impediment of castration for Holy Orders. Canon 1041 lists the impediments, and specifically subsection 5 states: "a person who has mutilated himself or another gravely and maliciously". Castration of the male genitals would definitely be included as mutilation, and this is probably a direct connect to the 1917 Code, even if it may be worded differently. I agree with you though that Dr. West could have made a stronger point by simply referring to the impediment in Canon Law generally than specifically for the reason you gave, though the mention of the 1917 Code does show a long standing precedent and continued tradition of at least a hundred years. Peace.

[@xadam-nawierzaco9385]

Thank you for your teaching! God bless you from Poland

[@Roger-vk2fl]

Fantastic message and explanation. This channel has helped me a lot

[@JPGoertz]

Men and women are not interchangeable - not just at the biological but also at the social level. No rights without duties. No duties without certain abilities. Because we have eliminated the requirements for so many rights, we have so many degenerate institutions. It is not just the claim " I can do xy" - there should also be an objective and strenuous assessment...

[@zZjak793Zz1]

By far the best video on the subject. Every other video I’ve found does not give a clear explanation.

[@joebeaudet]

Yesterday I was discussing with a Catholic friend why women cannot be priests. After not gaining much ground, I asked him to listen to this video. Afterwards, he retorted with Matthew 23:9 "And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven." While I dislike people who snag a single line of scripture to meet their immediate needs, I really was at a loss on how to respond. Any thoughts anyone?

[@ChMystery12]

If we take that passage literally then that means you can't even call your biological father 'father'. Which is obviously nonsense. Jesus was not speaking literally here. He was saying not to worship anyone on earth as if they were God the Father

[@jaqian]

St Paul calls himself Father in the New Testament. Jesus also says to call no man master or no man teacher (rabbi), I bet he has no response to that.

[@erastoeb]

¿Cómo mantendrían el secreto de confesión,

[@roseh9193]

That is rude. I am a woman and I had a top-secret clearance. It is a sin for anyone to gossip, men or women, and therefore not allowed whether you are a priest or not..

[@erastoeb]

@@roseh9193 Eso no es ninguna grosería, es puro grubeo panameño, mi amor.

[@lauraaraque4269]

Haha 😄 pues si

[@jesseholthaus8357]

@@roseh9193 he’s clearly joking

[@Phoenix_7568]

I’ve never heard this explained so well. Thank you!!

[@leekshikapinnamneni4835]

Hi Dr. Wes! I have a question about this very topic since I’m going through catechesis now. Why is it that some liturgical church is allowed women to be pastor or priest? Example I can think of or the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America as well as the episcopal church, church of England etc. Presbyterian Church USA in the united Methodist church would be. Are your videos! I’m learning so much.

[@BT7M]

The one thing all those churches have in common is that they're all protestant. It all boils down to ye old heresy of "what I believe is true", someone on their past was like "Why can't women be priests? I don't know, so let them be". The Church considers that no single individual has the capacity of understanding the whole truth of the word of God, so it relies on the wisdom left behind by the Church fathers, the doctors of the Church and the magisterium to reach a consensus (this goes for every teaching of the Church). The Church also don't consider priests of protestant churches as actually priests (be them male or female), for they don't have an apostolic succession leading back all the way to the original apostles, like the Catholic and Orthodox Churches do. Hope it is clear enough.

[@salonsarwar4557]

Short answer : they are not the Catholic Church.

[@Daniel-id6le]

​They have become apostate!

[@partydean17]

So what specifically does the production of sperm have to do with priesthood. And what specifically with the egg gamete leads to only women able to be nuns? Besides the semantics of us calling them fathers and mothers

[@lorrainecastillo897]

Just not understanding your explanation

[@Bible33AD]

This argument doesn't hold for the Church that is not gender cobfusion. That does recognize men and women are different AND equal.

[@highground3609]

JPII man... he was something else

[@tomgreene1843]

This presentation is a bit limited and overlooks a good deal of biblical reflective material. Would castration for medical reasons invalidate a priest's capacity?

[@tinabeattie52]

Thank you Dr West. This is so helpful. May I ask for some clarification, on behalf of many women I have shared this with who are asking me to explain so that we are more able to fully appreciate this beautiful theology of the body? You say that "unless priesthood has something to do intrinsically with the fact that only men produce sperm and only men can be fathers then it is a matter of unjust discrimination to say women can't be priests." Does this mean that priests must ejaculate every time they say Mass? Are they (metaphorically of course!) ejaculating into the body of the Church, represented by the women, children and men attending Mass? Sorry if this seems obvious - well, I mean it does seem obvious in light of what you've said, but we just want to make sure we understand. Is this the only reason women can't be priests? Thank you again for your patience in explaining.

[@tomgreene1843]

No men do not ejaculate metaphorically into the body of the church...this would be to fall prey to ideas of physicalism which much of this presentation could suggest. I would question this presentation ...is a man checked out as to his wholeness prior to ordination and what if he lost his testicles in an accident or for medical reasons? Suppose he was complete but could not produce sperm , or active sperm or was gay? I think there can be women priests but the reasons for this can possibly be rooted in Vatican II and its understanding of sacrament...Christ , God's sacrament is brought about through a woman and the holy Spirit...women theologians might pursue this line for fruitful development.

[@veddermn8]

Didn't realize that men training to be priests had to take a sperm count test

[@andrewdolder7216]

This is false for the same reason that men don't need sperm count tests in order to get married. (Not to mention that it is scandalous to require unmarried men to take a sperm test.)

[@MonarchPoolPlaster]

His explanation is too esoteric, but I agree that only men can be priests.

[@veddermn8]

@@MonarchPoolPlaster The justification for it is a pretty strained abstraction. In practice, it would be a huge, huge help to the church to have women

[@MonarchPoolPlaster]

@@veddermn8 And it would be a big help to Japan's birthrate if men could have babies, but it isn't happening.

[@KagUya709]

in comment, all men and women are called to be restored to the image of God which is fulfilled in Christ. Adam & Eve has an equal parallel being Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Unfortunately only men can ontologically learn what it means to be Jesus, but women have the Virgin Mary as an equal example (this is very much needed in the protestant faith). But Eve was created and called to “help” Adam. Jesus & Mary are our perfect examples of how to be men and women, but Jesus as God shows how to be deified men, and Mary shows us how to be deified women *in* Christ. We must be in christ to achieve deification and women must utilize the deified grace of God to help their counterparts to equally become deified.

[@TheologyoftheBodyInstitute]

Amen!

[@kopy_kat2723]

The only reason I checked out this video is because I wanted a actual reason why women can’t be priestesses (it’s not the same thing as being a priest because that’s entitled for men apparently) and I’m glad I at least know why women can’t be priests but I don’t get why is everything centered by gender roles or giving birth. Not all women are going to give birth and not all women want children so it doesn’t make sense why those are the factors of being a priest/priestess to me at least. Of course I would love to know more and I’d appreciate the insight though. Women can be called by the lord just like men can it’s why we don’t just have male saints. Then again Sainthood is a bit different than priesthood.

[@jamesmccloud7535]

Your last sentence should be the answer you're looking for. Difference of purpose doesn't mean one is lesser in value. If God wanted men and women to be completely equal and do the exact same things then he wouldn't have made men and women in the first place, maybe just men or just women.

[@billo875]

Excellent

[@margaretwatson5181]

I can't believe so many of you think this argument has any validity at all - it isn't 'Beautiful' it is horrific - the church includes all kinds of people - so is it right to suggest this is a form of sex between male priest and any man, a child, or a woman he isn't married to? Of course not, but that is where such arguments take you. .

[@briankilcoyne9522]

wow im in awe at your absolute brilliance of you explaining that ! truly the Holy Spirit is burning in you! thank you so much for this video and may God Bless you

[@nkiruchukwuma3308]

Mother Mary is the most worthy of all women.according to the scripture God sent an Angel Gabriel to Mary & said HAIL MARY FULL OF GRACE, BLESSED ARE THOU AMONG WOMEN AND BLESSED IS THE FRUIT OF YOUR WOMB. magnificat says All generations shall call me Blessed. She is most worthy of all women. She is the mother of God, Mother of the Church. Queen of Heaven and Earth.Conceived Without sin(Immaculate conception).yet His Son Jesus, who is the church didn't ordain her a priest.

[@no_prisoners6474]

Awesome

[@Sylvia-of9hj]

I do not support women as priests because menstruation is precluded regarding three specific duties of priests: 1. Consecration of the Eucharist, and 2. distributing the Eucharist by hand, and 3. Exorcism. And, although hearing confession does not concern menstruation or blood issues, women also seem to be precluded from hearing confessions and conferring forgiveness of sins because Christ breathed only on his male Apostles when he said he was conferring the power on them to "forgive sin." The Bible makes it crystal clear by Christ's actions and words that these duties are not for women. So if anybody disagrees with Jesus, who's right? Menstruation precludes women from priests' duties of consecration & distributing of the Eucharist and also of Exorcism. These preclusions have scriptural authority that make it plain that human or animal blood is not to be introduced or present at the altar during consecration of the Eucharist, or during passing out of the Eucharist, or during Exorcisms. Biblical references are, first of all, in the Old Testament, during Elijah's contest with the priests of Bael. When the "priests" were losing the contest, what did they do? They began cutting themselves to invoke demonic powers. So from this incident we know that the presence of human blood when combined with invocation ritual attracts and feeds demonic powers. And we still see this use of human or animal blood combined with ritual invocation in such depraved practices as Voodoo and Ashura festivals in Islam. And don't forget, these priests were priests of Jezebel, again emphasizing menstruation. Do even a cursory internet search of the words "menstruation" + "occult ritual" and you will find out about the high esteem in which menstrual blood is held in the occult. The other Biblical reference regarding the presence of human or animal blood during ritual invocation is in the Book of Mark when Jesus healed the possessed man who lived in the tombs. And what did this man do continually? He CUT himself, confirming that human blood (or animal blood) when combined with religious invocation attracts demons. And Mark gives us further information on why. The legion demons in this instance beg Jesus not to send them back to the pit, and this confirms that demons must possess a body in order to stay out of their place in Hell. And what's that quintessential characteristic of the body? It's blood, of course. The Bible says on several occasions that the life of the flesh is in the blood. So demons need a body to possess, and blood is the most important characteristic of a body. The presence of blood is also indicative of our fallen state because Adam and Eve did not have blood coursing through their bodies before the fall. Eve did not menstruate before the fall. The first blood appeared when Eve was deflowered by the Devil after he seduced her and she bled. Another incident from the Bible. When Christ appeared to Mary Magdalene after his Resurrection, he did not allow her to touch him, yet, only a matter of hours later, Jesus allowed Thomas to probe, with his bare fingers, the wounds from Jesus' Crucifixion. Why? Well, what was Mary Magdalene? She's always depicted as a young, attractive woman, that is, a menstruating woman. And Jesus' body is the Eucharist, right? And he did not allow a woman to touch it. This means that the Eucharist is only to be handed out by those with consecrated hands, that is, priests. With all this said, I'm not sure if women are eligible for the position of Deaconess, mainly because I'm not sure what Deacons do. It Decons' duties involve consecrating the Eucharist or handing it out, or of exorcisms, or of taking confessions, then the position of Deacon is not appropriate for women. Adding to the confusion of women's part in the Church are the hateful and insulting writings from Paul about women. And it's not clear whether Paul's writings refer to women working in positions in the church or to all women in general. It has to be understood that Paul was using Jewish Law in his plainly prejudiced attitudes against women. Paul was a Pharisee, remember, and the clearest example of his using Jewish Law regarding women was his statement that "Cephus" (Peter) was the first to see Jesus after his Resurrection. But Paul was using Jewish law, which stated that only two MALE witnesses were valid. Yet, the Bible states it was Mary Magdalene, and Catholics believe it was Mary, Jesus' mother to whom Jesus gave the honor of appearing to first. In either case, Jesus revealed the most important news in the history of humankind to a woman first. He told Mary Magdalene to go tell others of it. This is huge. It shows Jesus believed in women's intelligence and he told her to go and teach the apostles of his Resurrection. So if Paul will "not suffer a woman to teach," then who is right? Jesus or Paul? If anybody disagrees with Jesus, who's right? Mary Magdalene has been called the "Apostle to the Apostles." It's NEVER mentioned by any man, but Jesus also revealed who he was, the Messiah, to a woman first, to the Woman at the Well. And when he told her this, she ran back to her village to tell the others, and Jesus never said to her, "I will not suffer a woman to teach." The Woman at the Well has been called the first evangelist. In the incident with Martha and Mary, when Martha protests Mary's studying with the men under Jesus, he says "This will not be denied her." At the same time, he did not criticize Martha, the traditionalist woman. Jesus loves, respects and honors both types of women, the traditionalist and the non-traditionalist. Indeed, without women teachers, writers, and saints, what on earth would the Catholic Church do? Who educates more people all over the world than ANYBODY else? It's the Catholic Church. And what would Catholic schools do without the nuns who do most of the teaching? And female saints are revered and respected and held in the highest esteem in Catholicism. No one has ever done more for women than Jesus Christ. In the incident with the woman caught in adultery, Jesus wrote the names of the male accusers in the sand, and what they were doing, stating that, "He who is without sin" should throw the first stone. And Jesus announced a new era for women when he told a group of men who were asking how they could get rid of wives they were tired of, that "in Moses time, your hearts were hardened," but that in Jesus' new covenanat, things would improve for women. The men were asking Jesus why his pronouncements on women and marriage were different from those of Moses (from Jewish Law, the Law that Paul was quoting regarding women). The new status of women is a part of Jesus' new covenant. At the Cross, who was loyal to Jesus? Although one Apostle, John, was there with him, it was mostly women (Mary his mother and a female cousin of hers, and Mary Magdalene). All of the other apostles betrayed Jesus at the Cross. And it was the women on the streets of Jerusalem who wept for Jesus, while all the male apostles except John hid to save their own hides. Veronica wiped his face with her veil, and he honored her with the image of his face permanently on her veil, a healing image. Before his Crucifixion, Jesus allowed himself to be annointed with oil by a woman, who washed his feet with her hair. So all of these duties are probably open to women: healing, annointing with oil, teaching, writing, evangelizing and the like. I'm not disregarding Paul, or saying, as some do, that he should be removed from the Bible. I respect the work he did. But Paul was not perfect. He was a murderer before Jesus changed him. The important lesson to learn from Paul is that if he could be saved, then practically anybody can. Paul was plainly mistaken by limiting his writings and pronouncements about women to Jewish Law. Paul never knew Jesus when the two of them were in physical bodies, so Paul simply didn't know of Jesus' interactions with women. Paul was not perfect, but neither were most of the other apostles either. As stated, they all, except John, betrayed Jesus at the Cross. Yet their work is valuable and respected and essential in spreading the faith.

[@jjuarez83]

Nurses were traditionally a man's job. Once women started to go into the field it started to be associated as feminine and men avoided it.

[@alouie001]

Because God had a covenant with Adam not Eve. The sin had to be repaired so thats why every patriarch and Jesus was a male including the Apostles.

[@DeannaWillistonOFS]

I agree, but say Mr. West goes a bit too far in reducing the difference to producers of ova and producers of sperm without considering the whole body is different. Men’s generating organs are also external while women’s are internal. Men give life by reaching out & women by being receptive. Even the crook of a woman’s arm is different, shaped to cradle an infant. Women are called physically and metaphysically, naturally and supernaturally to motherhood as men are similarly called to fatherhood. (Side note: men *are trying* to get into convents as well as women are cross-dressing and trying to sneak into seminaries.)

[@AandM8]

Male and female, we are all the church, the bridegroom. In the same way, male and female, we are all God’s priests. In marriage, we become one flesh. It seems to me that God created us female and male for a reason. So why then, has the church separated us by only ordaining men to the priesthood? You’ve excluded women from something they inherently share in.

[@humphreyobanor866]

Perfect

[@davefitzgerald5334]

Was St Paul a misogynist?

[@catholicrakelle]

Yes! 🙌

[@adastra123]

The best answer I have seen so far. Makes sense on the spiritual and physical level. Thank you so much.

[@veddermn8]

Its because the Vatican is terrified of women's sexuality. Chris going on and on about the "sexual differences" for a celibate position which completely misses the point of the question. Its a good question and is not resolved here.

[@mariemunzar6474]

That is a good point. It is very possible for a celibate person to break their vow of celibacy. And it's generally much more obvious for a woman since pregnancy is possible and only women become pregnant. Would cause more of a scandal than for a male priest. Men are also often portrayed by society as having more sexual desire even though it tends to be women who are more likely to want to marry, settle down, and have a family.

[@your-username-here2308]

""Its because the Vatican is terrified of women's sexuality"" You need tio explain that more because thats just a empty Buzzword mess. Not to mention that Priesthood is the spiritual fatherhood. Body and Soul cannot be seperated. And having such a big issue with Male Priests is also implying that they are "better" and/or more worth then Nuns for example. Wich no one ever said and is more of a insult to the Female Roles. They have each a sacred and important role. Imagine a Dude complaining that its discrimination that they cant become a Nun or a Mother.

[@jaqian]

God established the priesthood in the Old Testament and the New Testament. Go take it up with God.

[@marykopydlowski4654]

I understand why women shouldnt be a priest. Women are the ones who are suppose to teach kids the Gods Words. And those who are gifted teach the women to take it home and use it. Not happening here yet but its better. Praying heavy for Gods answers

[@Catholicity-uw2yb]

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS: As regards the individual nature, woman is defective and misbegotten, for the active power of the male seed tends to the production of a perfect likeness in the masculine sex; while the production of a woman comes from defect in the active power. The active power in the male is intended to produce a perfect image of itself, a masculine sex. When a female results it is either because of a weakness in this active power or because of some indisposition of the materials, or even from a change produced by an outside factor - for example, from south winds, which are humid.

[@tanguetoboy]

Very strange way to explain by comparing producing sperm, fatherhood and spread spirituality!!

[@ZephaniahL]

The crudeness of this man's thought beggars belief -- the sort of fellow you don't really want on your side of an issue, because he does such damage to your arguments.

[@tanguetoboy]

After the 7min nonsense start!!

[@michaelknight7354]

Christ selected twelve, they were all men. No ambiguity. Priesthood is for men. Any woman who thinks they a priest are playing God. You are not God. You are a creatures, get over it

[@dormire880]

I appreciate you tackling this subject but I find it laughable you imply that somehow civilization and even the Church was wrong on a woman's role in society until the 20th century "we were totally wrong until very recently in human history guys!" give me a break

[@simplyregina5364]

Priests marry Christs Bride, male to female, Nuns marry Christ, female to male.

[@simplyregina5364]

@michaelrhodes1981 Then that's why it was abolished

[@simplyregina5364]

@michaelrhodes1981 I believe we were all put here to play different roles. Mary was The Mother of God, The First Tabernacle of Christ. But she did not go about preaching. She led by example. Quietly taking care of Jesus and Joseph. Jesus adored His Mother and literally gave Her the sun the moon and the stars. At the last supper Jesus sat with 12 apostles, all men. These were the first pope, priests and Bishops. He Gave them His Body and Blood and said do this in memory of Me.

[@simplyregina5364]

@michaelrhodes1981 What are you banging on about? If we follow Christ we are all His servants. He saved Her from being stoned to death by men and a life of sin. Your kind of stuck in your thinking and absolutely not listening or interested in anything but Mary magdalene being a deacon. Again we are all put here to play different roles. My own view is that no woman is called to be a priest or deacon. If they want a vocation theres plenty of orders that allow them to live their lives dedicated to The Glory of God

[@simplyregina5364]

@michaelrhodes1981 Well at least we agree on something. Its all a journey. We all have our own paths. I wish you many prayers on yours. God Bless you!

[@kentfrederick8929]

I have had both men and women as my pastors. Frankly, a lot of men are too busy bucking to become a district superintendent or bishop (I'm a United Methodist), while women understand that being a pastor means serving a congregation.

[@jesuspascual9080]

@Kent Frederick, woman serving is totally fine. They just aren’t allowed to be pastors.

[@kentfrederick8929]

@@jesuspascual9080 As a liberal Prostestant and the son of a feminist, I consider that bone-headed thinking.

[@antoniodseccareccia]

Men being bad at their job doesn’t mean women should take over. It means men need to own up.

[@jesuspascual9080]

@@kentfrederick8929 I respect your views on life even though I may not agree with them. I just value what the word of God said regarding this. I never said woman don’t have a role in the church or can’t serve. They just aren’t allowed to be pastors. No matter how compelled or “called” they feel to do so.

[@kentfrederick8929]

@@antoniodseccareccia My paternal grandfather believed that God made men smarter than women. On the other hand, my maternal grandfather thought that most women can do jobs better than men, and that men should get out of their way. I'm a United Methodist, and there was a time that my senior pastor, district superintendent, and bishop were all women. Frankly, I preferred that. But, if a woman feels called to enter the ministry and become the shepard of a congregation, is God sending her a false message?

[@fabjanvlasic746]

What a sick explanation that a woman cannot be the leader of the spiritual herd and can be a queen, prime minister, etc.. in which she makes much bigger and far more powerful decisions that changed humanity as well!! You really need to be mentally limited and mean to portray a man because it gives seeds to those worthy of leading the Eucharist, why do we give a comparison of the spiritual with carnal secretions!! Thus defending the thesis about a woman as less valuable and unworthy to lead the Church and spread spirituality is so corrupt that even God laughs!!

[@tarmbruster1]

We’re not talking about an all out violent attack on sexual difference here. Why make that kind of jump? Why the extreme jump. It is simply not smart to not have woman as priests. We are missing out on so much talent and solid leadership. The church would be so much stronger today if woman would have become priests after Vatican II. Your theology is narrow and quite frankly, simple. It spiritually holds you back. Re-read Acts of the Apostles.

[@canadianpatriot9566]

Christopher you lack a biblical quotes to support you arguments is disturbing, especially the catholic catechism always uses the Bible to support its views.

[@dedalesigma6755]

The explanation rest mostly on the magisterium of the church, if you reject the magisterium and its interpretative weight, there is really no reason not to have priestess. At best the argument would boiled down to "look Catholic priests are a lot like rabbis, and as you know rabbis were all males." And anybody could demolish that argument with a questiom "But don't we do a lot of things differently than jews ?" If you don't care about the rules of successions and valid transfer of apostolic authority no argument is effective.

[@DeannaWillistonOFS]

I would say that he doesn’t need a Bible quote as both the Old and New Testaments support him. In the Bible, only men are fathers. Abraham is set to be the Father of many. The people of Israel are seen over and over as the bride. In the New Testament, this is continued. Although we see Christ breaking cultural barriers by talking to women, he does not break with religious tradition of calling and ordaining a male priesthood. Women serve, but not in the priesthood.

[@jeannearnold9565]

What about women becoming Deacons?

[@deborahrozenzhak3696]

Okay I already disagree. A station of positions isn’t determined by sex. Priesthood isn’t based only on physical limitations. Saying someone is equal to you but not able to hold the same position isn’t equality of positions if “office”. Physiology isn’t part of teaching the Bible. Priesthood is a career choice not spiritual physiology.

[@michaelmicek]

The counter is that it is indeed not a career but a vocation.

[@antoniodseccareccia]

You make a mistake to say physical limitation.

[@deborahrozenzhak3696]

@@michaelmicek a vocation is still a position. Biology isn’t a vocation and that’s redefining as such to make your point and I definitely disagree.

[@BT7M]

If you believe Priesthood is a career choice, then you don't know what Priesthood is.

[@deborahrozenzhak3696]

@@antoniodseccareccia true I meant to say based solely on biology

[@shannonlise3638]

Ah, so when giving communion to a man, the priest is committing a homosexual act, then.

[@andrewdolder7216]

Rather, Jesus is the Bridegroom (with the priest acting In Persona Christi), and the Church is its bride. It follows that the Church is collectively female, and moreover, that we are all one flesh.

[@anonkurian]

Son of God=Jesus christ=heavenly prist=is a MAN.

[@deborahrozenzhak3696]

I completely disagree. Physiology doesn’t determine spiritual ability to teach or give communion etc. These analogies are the very distorted reasons as to why women are kept oppressed and men still don’t give women equality.

[@antoniodseccareccia]

You’re implying physiology is not important and separate from the soul. It’s oppressive to believe you’re oppressed because your body isn’t worthy and important. The body is a big deal on earth. Buy your logic, men not being mothers is oppressive. Not being a priest doesn’t make you oppressed. Being a priest is not superior to motherhood. It’s different. It’s oppressive to exclude a deep part of yourself out of envy to do men work.

[@deborahrozenzhak3696]

@@antoniodseccareccia you still are making a symbolic comparative towards a physiology comparative. They are not the same thing and to lump them as such is why there are not equal positions in the church based. That is why it’s based on sex and not on merit and ability and gifts given by the Holy Spirit of the individual.

[@antoniodseccareccia]

@@deborahrozenzhak3696 Hi Deborah thanks for that. However in the church, body and soul are not separate. That’s a an official heresy. Being a man or a woman is not purely symbolic. It’s much deeper than that. The symbol is there to explain the reality. I’d encourage you heavily to find deep meaning in your gender. It’s liberating. You are not oppressed because men and women have different roles. You are not oppressed neither because God made you a person instead of a dog for instance. Gender is not symbolic, it’s real. The symbols are there to express the deep reality. Your gender reveals deep windows into God’s mission for you. Don’t fall for the trap of self invention. “God’s will be done”. Not your will be done because you’re envious of men who are priests. Some men are jealous that you’re a women too and their called transgender. Same grave mistake. Libération doesn’t come through dismissing the physical and only valuing one’s desires.

[@antoniodseccareccia]

@@deborahrozenzhak3696 I’ll also add this quote, to meditate on if you want: Jesus says “the door to life is narrow”. I’d argue, you are not free in doing anything you want. You are free in doing God’s will. God founded holy orders for men. That doesn’t make men better. Mary wasn’t an apostle, but is far greater than any apostle or priest. Men are designed differently and the reality goes deeper than what you see visually. Don’t be trapped in your own self will. Let God free you. You’ll be your best that way. God always wants what we really want without realizing it- remember that. :) God decides not you, He made you. You did not and will not invente yourself without doing a worse job. Women are not priests. Women are not fathers and that’s not bad news :) God bless you!

[@catholicrakelle]

In Catholicism, the spiritual and material are united and cannot be separated. It doesn’t matter if you disagree, this is Church teaching. You can reject the teaching, but then you’re rejecting Catholicism.

[@nkiruchukwuma3308]

Mother Mary is the most worthy of all women.according to the scripture God sent an Angel Gabriel to Mary & said HAIL MARY FULL OF GRACE, BLESSED ARE THOU AMONG WOMEN AND BLESSED IS THE FRUIT OF YOUR WOMB. magnificat says All generations shall call me Blessed. She is most worthy of all women. She is the mother of God, Mother of the Church. Queen of Heaven and Earth.Conceived Without sin(Immaculate conception).yet His Son Jesus, who is the church didn't ordain her a priest.