Marci said:
I would disagree, because any woman who wants to be a priest is clearly at odds with heavily document ecclesiology in the Church that forbids them becoming a priest. Their views, therefore, cut them out of the picture before you even get to gender.
As a side note, the Episcopal church in America ordains female priests. Not "ministers", but priests. Doctrinally, the two churches are very close, with the exception of the doctrine that the Pope is the spiritual head of the church. In fact, the Catholic church accepts the ordination of male priests by the Episcopal church, insofar as to allow married male priests to convert and retain their ordination. This has been under-publicized, but there are many former Episcopal priests serving as Catholic priests who are married. They are not required to follow the rule of celibacy.
Many priests converted due to increasing disaffection with the Episcopal church's liberal policy of ordaining homosexuals and lesbians.
Presumably they would have to acknowledge the pope's authority, which was the original issue that forced the schism under Henry VIII.
I'm not sure what bearing this has on the discussion, but it seems that if the Catholic Church can bend the rule of celibacy for male priests, surely they can bend the rules about women lacking that wee bit of proud flesh, but who uphold the authority of the pope and are willing to abide by the rule of celibacy.
Jean Dudley http://jeansvoice.blogspot.com
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