In teaching about the all-male priesthood and the beauty of this doctrine (not only for men but for women as well), we read the Apostolic Letter by Pope John Paul II
Ordinatio Sacerdotalis (it takes 5 minutes - the link is
here). Every Catholic should take the time to read it (but if you don't read the whole thing, at least read paragraph 4).
I also came across the following responsum from Cardinal Ratzinger following up with some dissenters, answering the question whether this is something that is infallible Church doctrine. In other words, can it ever be changed? His answer is below:
SACERDOTALIS RESPONSUM AD DUBIUMCongregation for the Doctrine of the FaithOctober 28, 1995Dubium: Whether the teaching that the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women, which is presented in the Apostolic Letter Ordinatio Sacerdotalis to be held definitively, is to be understood as belonging to the deposit of faith.Responsum: In the affirmative.This teaching requires definitive assent, since, founded on the written Word of God, and from the beginning constantly preserved and applied in the Tradition of the Church, it has been set forth infallibly by the ordinary and universal Magisterium (cf. Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium 25, 2). Thus, in the present circumstances, the Roman Pontiff, exercising his proper office of confirming the brethren (cf. Lk 22:32), has handed on this same teaching by a formal declaration, explicitly stating what is to be held always, everywhere, and by all, as belonging to the deposit of the faith.The Sovereign Pontiff John Paul II, at the Audience granted to the undersigned Cardinal Prefect, approved this Reply, adopted in the ordinary session of this Congregation, and ordered it to be published.Rome, from the offices of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, on the Feast of the Apostles SS. Simon and Jude, October 28, 1995.Joseph Card. Ratzinger
PrefectTarcisio Bertone
Archbishop Emeritus of VercelliSo the infallibility of the all-male priesthood doctrine comes in this case not from an ex cathedra statement, but from "the ordinary and universal Magisterium," in other words, the constant and unwavering teaching office of the Church over the ages. In light of this, rejection of this teaching is altogether impossible for a Catholic. This practice of the Church has never, can never, and will never change, because it is so much more than practice, but doctrine itself.
If you want to understand why it's a beautiful thing, I suggest the reading of Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, paragraphs 1-3.
1 comments:
Easy to understand, and a pithy example of how the Mind of the Church works.
Post a Comment