The Catholic Priesthood and Women: A Guide to the Teaching of the Church

by Sara Butler

In his letter Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, Pope John Paul II stated: "Wherefore, in order that all doubt may be removed regarding a matter of great importance, . . .I declare that the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church's faithful." With that declaration, the question of women's priestly ordination in the Catholic Church was effectively closed. While the Church's position is clear, many priests, religious, seminarians, and lay ministers search for a way to answer questions regarding the Church's teaching. In The Catholic Priesthood and Women: A Guide to the Teaching of the Church, Sister Sara Butler attempts to answer those questions through a close examination of the Church's teaching on the ordination of women to the priesthood. In response to a call for a greater articulation of the Church's position, Sister Butler seeks to both clarify and defend the Church's teaching as well as explore why so many have struggled to accept it. The Catholic Priesthood and Women: A Guide to the Teaching of the Church successfully explores the complex and fundamental questions surrounding the ordination of women to the priesthood for anyone interested in a deep examination of this issue.

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Nonfiction, Christian, Christianity

132 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2007

Reviews

[Mars · Rating 4 out of 5]

Butler offers a very lucid presentation of the Catholic Church's reasoning for its teaching on a male-only priesthood that is primarily built upon "fundamental reasons" - the 'fact' that Jesus with 'sovereign freedom' chose 12 men for his apostolic ministry that would later become the college of bishops and priests. The fundamental reasons follow that the Church has maintained this tradition ever since and has consistently condemned any 'innovations' in this regard. The Church magisterium also offers new "theological arguments" that center around the nuptial symbolism of Christ the bridegroom and the Church his bride; these have replaced previous admittedly misogynistic arguments based on a false understanding of (female) anthropology.

Articulating a response to Sara Butler's book is an article by Fr. Robert Egan S.J. Published in Commonweal magazine that reframes the inquiry and questions if Jesus' will or intent for the 12 apostles was really a "priesthood" (as we understand it today) at all. Further, even if Jesus could have exercised his 'sovereign freedom' and chosen women, would the systemic patriarchy of the culture have made that an unwise and futile choice at the time? Fr. Egan leaves fingers wedged between the pages of what some (Butler included) consider to be a closed book. Some food for thought: http://www.commonwealmagazine.org/why....

[Trish Remley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book given to me to read by Fr. Barry when I requested to talk about women's ordination. It goes through all the arguments of why women can not be priests. All these can be answered by other books of why women should be priests and vise versa. None of the reasons given would exclude women from the priesthood. Where is our next archbishop Cushing?

[Don Becher · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book serves as a thorough and well written synthesis of the Catholic Church’s position on women’s ordination by an apologist for that position. I am a Catholic who for three decades has questioned why there was a prohibition on women’s ordination and has lately seen it more and more as an issue of basic justice and fairness – asking myself if I could remain a member of a Church that say, by way of analogy, prohibited African Americans from the priesthood (no sub-Saharans among the apostles). I have lately taken to praying almost daily that the hierarchy’s minds be changed or mine (it would be a lot easier to just surrender to the Church’s teaching and go on with parish life). So when someone mentioned this book in passing, I decided perhaps here was my chance to at least understand the Church’s position.

I am a lawyer by training and took the position when reading the book that the burden of proof or persuasion fell on the author. I do not feel this unreasonable in a situation where my sisters in Christ are not accorded the privilege to sacramentally represent Christ and if I were to accept Church doctrine, I would have to accept the premise that Christ really would mind if in our time a woman represented him. The author organized much of the book by setting up the arguments of those advocating for women priests first and then laying out the Church’s response. I served some time as a hearing officer and administrative law judge and the book reminded me of some briefs organized in a similar fashion, wherein while reading the arguments being set up for refutation, you actually became convinced of the correctness of those arguments rather than those of the brief’s author. Even after reading the book, I remain dismayed that the Church will not consider the ordination of women, so I’ll continue with my prayer.

All-in-all though, if you are interested in the issue, this is an excellent source of official Church doctrine on the matter.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm.... Although well researched and documented with doctrine and reasons- it reminds me of my mother's responses to insistent "why" questions on various topics: "Just Because". In a very brief summary of my impressions, I would have to say that the author insisted, and attempted to prove, that the Jesus had 12 Apostles- they were men- it wasn't a cultural thing to reconsider- that's just how it was. Even Mary (Jesus' mother) wasn't asked to he a priest. Hadn't she done enough??!! I was not swayed at all (I DO think it was not possible in the prevailing culture and that WAS a major factor in the decision). But, I am in good company with the great theologian when I continue to ask: "Why not??" So... I am still not convinced that, one day, some day, the ordination of Catholic women to the priesthood will be looked upon as "Just the way it's done!"

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I borrowed this from my youngest sister. The fact that she lent it to me suggests she found it persuasive. I did not. On the other hand, the reason she got it in the first place is that her religion teacher gave it to her when she wouldn't stop asking why women can't be priests. So I'm very proud of her on the whole.

[Kevin Estabrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best treatment of the topic written. She is thorough in her investigation of the Magisterial teaching, and makes the Church's doctrine on this matter accessible to layman and scholars alike.

[Allyson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall it was a very good overview of Church teaching on the subject. Some of the ideas could have been expanded upon. I would recommend this book to anyone interested on the subject.

[Valentin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the book and get a better understanding of the catholic church position on ordination of women as priests. It clears the confusion.

[Chad Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A defense of the Magisterium's sections and associated theology. A good summary of those issues. It doesn't address other theologians criticisms per se, such as Redford-Ruther or Schussler-Fiorenza. However, for a good solid overview of orthodox theology, it's a good book!