A woman is ineligible for the Catholic priesthood like a married lady is ineligible from being Miss America–she does not meet a fundamental requirement (in the case of the pageant, it is being single). For women who insist on becoming priests, there is always another denomination just as there’s always Mrs. America for married beauties.
I bring this up after reading quotes by ladies who have formed their idealized versions of the Catholic Church–not God’s version, but their own self-absorbed fantasies. According to the Associated Press, one group called Roman Catholic WomenPriests ordains ladies who study for a year and meet some other requirements–presumably being female is one of them. They then conduct what they consider to be the Catholic Mass and other sacraments. The fact that these sacraments are invalid does not seem to phase these ladies.
So what do these ladies have to say about their “callings”?
“Like our sister Rosa Parks, we refuse to sit on the back of the bus any longer.” -Bridget Mary Meehan, former nun, quoted by the Associated Press (Not being a priest is like being in the back of the bus? Really? Somehow I don’t think “our sister Rosa” would agree.)
“I had to leave the [Catholic] church [to join the Independent Catholic Church]; there was no place for me. I wish there was.” – Elizabeth English, as quoted by the Sacramento Bee (Liz, there is space for you in the back of our church bus; ask Bridget!)
The truth about Liz comes out later in the article (pun intended): “I am a lesbian, a mother and I have a calling to the priesthood. The Roman Catholic Church abandoned me.” (Actually, you left the Church, but perhaps it was less because of the priest thing and more because of the lesbian thing, which is also a Catholic no-no. So often these radical feminist priest-wannabes are lesbians. Is it a coincidence? I doubt it.)
I do not believe, as a Catholic woman, that women are called to be priests. They can serve as nuns and in other capacities as lay people but not as priests. If the Blessed Virgin was not a priest or apostle, how can these gals claim to be more deserving?
As I said earlier, if you don’t like the Church’s rules, leave. I will hold the door open for you. (And if you come to your senses, learn some humility, and return, hat in hand, I would be quite happy to open the door back to let you in, as would all my fellow practicing Catholics.)
