Priests

[saintwannab7]

I was in my history class today and we were talking about the protestant reformation. Most protestants allow women and/or married ministers. Our teacher said that there was, once upon a time, women priests and married priests in the early Church. I had heard of married priests, but then it got changed. But was there really women priests? I find this hard to believe. I also want to know more about the married priests and why, unless under extraordinary circumstances, there marriage is not allowed for priests. Also why there are no women priests?

Don't get me wrong, I don't think there should be women priests or married priests (besides the few special circumstances that are allowed). I believe in all of the Church's teachings including this touchy subject. I just don't have any reason to justify this belief, other than the Church's authority, if someone came up and asked me why Catholics only have the rules of male and celibate priests.

I read a really intersting book last summer called "Women and the Priesthood." It was actually two essays. One by Alice von Hildebran (sp?) and the other by Peter Kreeft. It was all about why the Church teaches this and why it is just illogical to have married and women priests. But I seem to have forgotten or need a re-fresher and I lent the book to someone who I have not seen in probably 6 months. So please explain to me!!!

[BLAZEr]

The Church has never admitted woman to the Priesthood. It is a blatant falsehood to suggest otherwise. There are many reasons why woman cannot be ordained but the simplest and most obvious is that Christ did not choose any woman to be his apostles. He ordained the apostles to preach, teach, and heal and only apostles had their feet washed.

Celibacy is a discipline of the Catholic Church for the priesthood. It is important for two primary reasons. First, it is a greater imititation of Christ, since Christ was celibate. Second, it frees the priest to be wholely devoted to his Bride, the Church.