How Can I Handle This Better?

[Spem in alium]

I was at a family gathering on the weekend and got talking to one of my uncles about my considerations of religious life. He listened to me, but at one stage made a point insinuating that maybe I'll become a woman priest. Well, I was quite stunned.  He questioned my reaction, and asked me to give him theological evidence to show why women shouldn't be priests.

 

I had given him evidence that he only saw as practical. I was very disappointed that I didn't know enough to be able to defend my position properly.

 

Anyone know of any good theological sources I can use for next time? I searched online but probably wasn't looking in the right places or for the right things as I yielded no results.

[Amppax]

I was at a family gathering on the weekend and got talking to one of my uncles about my considerations of religious life. He listened to me, but at one stage made a point insinuating that maybe I'll become a woman priest. Well, I was quite stunned. He questioned my reaction, and asked me to give him theological evidence to show why women shouldn't be priests.

I had given him evidence that he only saw as practical. I was very disappointed that I didn't know enough to be able to defend my position properly.

Anyone know of any good theological sources I can use for next time? I searched online but probably wasn't looking in the right places or for the right things as I yielded no results.

I haven't read this, but this is a document by JP II on why the Church can only ordain men to the priesthood. http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_letters/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_22051994_ordinatio-sacerdotalis_en.html

Was that the sort of thing you were looking for? Have you looked in PM's defense directory or on Catholic Answers (Catholic.com)? Edited June 30, 2013 by Amppax

[Lil Red]

http://www.phatmass.com/catholic-apologetics/

 

http://www.catholic.com/tracts/women-and-the-priesthood

 

Also check out http://www.cuf.org

[Apotheoun]

The ultimate reason why women cannot be priests is that such a thing is contrary to Tradition (i.e., to what has been divinely revealed and constantly lived within the Church from the time of Christ to today).

 

Why can't there be more than three persons in the Godhead? Because it is contrary to Tradition (i.e., to what has been divinely revealed and constantly lived within the Church from the time of Christ to today).

[Spem in alium]

The ultimate reason why women cannot be priests is that such a thing is contrary to Tradition (i.e., to what has been divinely revealed and constantly lived within the Church from the time of Christ to today).

 

Why can't there be more than three persons in the Godhead? Because it is contrary to Tradition (i.e., to what has been divinely revealed and constantly lived within the Church from the time of Christ to today).

 

That's one thing I talked about with him. He didn't understand Tradition and tradition, so I had to explain it.

 

Just to add: The key evidence I gave him was: the priest is Christ's representative during the Mass, and as Christ was a man the priest should be also. He didn't see how that had any theological connection.

[Spem in alium]

Thank you both. These resources are all really useful! I'll read up on them so that I can defend my position better.

[Apotheoun]

That's one thing I talked about with him. He didn't understand Tradition and tradition, so I had to explain it.

 

Just to add: The key evidence I gave him was: the priest is Christ's representative during the Mass, and as Christ was a man the priest should be also. He didn't see how that had any theological connection.

Here is what I said in a post a few months ago about the Tradition versus tradition idea:

 

 

"The distinction between 'tradition' and 'Tradition' is a modern Western idea, and one that I do not accept. I hold to the Patristic distinction between Kerygma and Dogma enunciated by St. Basil the Great in his writings. Kerygma is the doctrine of the faith as found in written Tradition and the teaching of the Church Fathers, while Dogma is the unwritten practices of the Church, the liturgy, the holy mysteries, the sacred signs and actions, and the theological meanings inherent to the Church's worship and doctrine. Outsiders were - according to St. Basil - allowed to know the Kerygma, but only the fully initiated were allowed to know the Dogma of the Church. Moreover, this distinction does not involve the false notion that some of these things come from man alone and can be dispensed with at will. Both the Kerygma and the Dogma of the Church come from Christ, and they are to be faithfully kept by all, both clergy and lay faithful alike."

 

 

Edited June 30, 2013 by Apotheoun

[Spem in alium]

Here is what I said in a post a few months ago about the Tradition versus tradition idea:

 

 

"The distinction between 'tradition' and 'Tradition' is a modern Western idea, and one that I do not accept. I hold to the Patristic distinction between Kerygma and Dogma enunciated by St. Basil the Great in his writings. Kerygma is the doctrine of the faith as found in written Tradition and the teaching of the Church Fathers, while Dogma is the unwritten practices of the Church, the liturgy, the holy mysteries, the sacred signs and actions, and the theological meanings inherent to the Church's worship and doctrine. Outsiders were - according to St. Basil - allowed to know the Kerygma, but only the fully initiated were allowed to know the Dogma of the Church. Moreover, this distinction does not involve the false notion that some of these things come from man alone and can be dispensed with at will. Both the Kerygma and the Dogma of the Church come from Christ, and they are to be faithfully kept by all, both clergy and lay faithful alike."

 

Ah, interesting! Thanks for sharing. I like that explanation.