Why does the Catholic Church only ordain men to the ministerial priesthood?
In Ordinatio Sacerdotalis (1994), Pope Saint John Paul II reaffirmed that the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women, a teaching to be held definitively by all the faithful. This is not about human inequality or dignity (Mary is higher in dignity than any apostle or pope), but fidelity to Christ's own divine example: Jesus chose twelve men as His Apostles despite living in a culture filled with pagan priestesses, and the Apostles did likewise. The priest acts 'in persona Christi Capitis' (in the person of Christ the Bridegroom) offering His life for the Church, His Bride.
Sources
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 1577-1578
- Mark 3:13-19
Awaiting review by the chaplaincy. Written in our own words; the Church's own texts are the authority.