What Are The Strongest Arguments Used To Convince Critics That The Catholic Priesthood Should Be All-male?

The issue of the Catholic priesthood remaining all male is an ongoing argument, within and outside the Church. To me the answer is simple.

Catholic Christians and Christians everywhere profess to believe all Jesus taught. They use the Bible as the main source for the Christian way of life. People quote the Bible all day long, as evidence that Jesus showed us the meaning of love, obedience to God the Father's will, moral and ethical behaviors such as those described in the Sermon on the Mount.

Catholic Christians and other Christians believe Jesus appointed, taught and ordained the Apostles, to carry on His work in the Church after His death. Jesus did not include women, among those He appointed and ordained, as the first priests. Why should we question what Jesus did in this matter, when we do not question Jesus's actions in other matters?

If, Jesus intended woman to be priests, I believe He would have appointed and ordained, some of the women who followed Him: Mary Magdalen, Mary of Bethany, the Woman at the Well and Martha.

Add Comment

View Comments [1]

Report

Jesus did ordain only men as Apostles and as His inner circle of 12 Disciples. However, Jesus did not ordain anyone as "priests". The book of Hebrews is especially clear that the earthly priesthood was done away with and the earthly high priest was replaced with the True High Priest ministering in the heavenly sanctuary, which is Jesus Christ Himself. The apostle Peter teaches that ALL church members are part of "an holy priesthood" (I Peter 2:5). The Revelation of Jesus Christ as recorded by the Apostle John declares that God through Jesus has "made us kings and priests unto God". This declaration is repeated three times, in Revelation 1:6, 5:10 and 20:6. All of these descriptions of "priests" in the New Testament are inclusive of ALL believers, not just a few chosen ones. A primary purpose of the priesthood was to offer sacrifices for the people and approach God in their behalf. Hebrews 10:11-12 makes the stark contrast that the earthly sacrifices "can never take away sins: But this man [Jesus Christ], after he had offered ONE sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God." Hebrews 10:18 states that "there is no more offering for sin." Jesus Christ's "once for all" sacrifice (I Peter 3:18, Hebrews 7:27, 9:12,28 and Romans 6:10) fulfills all to which the Levitical priesthood had pointed. There is no longer a role for an earthly priesthood in offering sacrifices--the once for all sacrifice has already been made! The other role of the priesthood was to approach God on behalf of the people. Hebrews 10:19-20 states "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh." That is truly good news--Jesus Himself, by His blood and body that has ALREADY been sacrificed once for all, provides us "bold" entrance into the presence of God. No longer is there any need of an earthly priest to approach God on our behalf--Jesus has already provided a direct channel to heaven for each Christian individually! The Apostle Paul emphasizes this role of Jesus Christ unequivocally in I Timothy 2:5, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." Praise God that we no longer need to pray to or through other sinful human beings that have been ordained as "priests". Instead, we now have the glorious privilege and blessed freedom to approach God directly through Jesus Christ, our ONLY mediator and intercessor. May His name be praised for ever and ever!!!

Add Comment

Report