The Roman Catholic church has just announced revisions to its rules and procedures around sexual abuse. While this is encouraging the changes cannot undo the terrible history of denial and cover-ups which may have undermined the credibility of this expression of Christ's church forever.
At the same time the revisions codify as a “grave crime” against Church law “the attempted ordination of a woman” to conform with a decree issued in 2007 to deal with a growing movement in favour of a female priesthood. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that it cannot ordain women as priests because Christ chose only men as his disciples.
This is infuriating on so many levels. There is so much biblical evidence that Jesus included women in the wider circle of his followers and friends which is conveniently ignored by the R.C. church. There is also testimony to the roles women played in the early centuries of the church, before misogyny became the norm. And where in the gospels does it say that the original twelve disciples --eleven if we discount Judas-- were ever priests in a formal designation?
Of course this is a response to the growing "seditious" activity of those who are speaking out for women priests, and some who are going through unsanctioned ordination services, as pictured above. But what a "grave crime" to address vile abuse and the role of women in the church in the same theological breath.
Any comments on this?
4 comments:
It is sad and it makes the Catholic church even more ridiculous in it's ideas. Your last 4 blogs have been great, lots of ideas to discuss with friends and family. Thanks.
The problem is that people can make whatever interpretations they like from the bible to further their own prejudices and agendas. To me, religion should be focusing more on inclusion than exclusion. Too bad some religions don't agree.
How infuriating! I wonder if any thought and research was done before making this pronouncement or if they are just digging in their heels about this change. I know many people of the Catholic faith who would love to see women become priests. My mother-in-law talks of the aging priests who are being stretched to work more hours and in more churches. How can they say no to anyone who is willing to fill this role?
I'm trying not to fall into total cynicism about the RC church because of my very positive connections with priests, theologians and lay people in that denomination.
Any religion is at its worst when it manipulates its scriptures and holy writings for its own benefit rather than service to God.
Thanks for the affirmation Laurie.
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