They Won't Be Priests
From the AFP, whatever that is:
OTTAWA (AFP) - Nine women, including one Canadian and one American, plan to defy the Vatican and become the first female Roman Catholic priests and deacons ordained in North America during a ceremony on a boat on the St. Lawrence River next month.
The ceremony, which is not sanctioned by the Vatican, is to take place July 25 on the river near Gananoque in eastern Canada following a conference on women as priests at Carleton University in Ottawa.
No, they won't be priests. The body that says who is a priest and who isn't is the Vatican. They'll be pretenders. Not priests. Moreover, they will likely be excommunicated for the action. Priests, by definition, take vows of obedience.
Personally, I think excluding females from ordination to the Priesthood is bad for the Church, but the rules are the rules. Change will not come about through rebellion. This is an exercise in defiance, not piety.
Why don't they just do what (male) Catholic priests who want to marry do? Become Episcopalians! ; )
Posted by:Andrew | June 14, 2005 at 12:11 AM
I cannot understand those who defy an organization to make a point. I agree with Andrew, go somewhere else! Hey, Henry VIII didn't like what he saw as a problem, so he left! :)
Posted by:Emily | June 17, 2005 at 06:51 PM
Well said, thanks.
Posted by:Mike | June 21, 2005 at 05:13 PM