Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 6/4/83; site PSUVM.BITNET Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!psuvax1!psuvm!v6m From: V6M@PSUVM.BITNET Newsgroups: net.religion.christian Subject: Marchionni on women priests Message-ID: <1580V6M@PSUVM> Date: Tue, 12-Feb-85 15:55:13 EST Article-I.D.: PSUVM.1580V6M Posted: Tue Feb 12 15:55:13 1985 Date-Received: Thu, 14-Feb-85 00:55:11 EST Lines: 46 <<>> Most of what follows is my recall from NATIONAL CATHOLIC REGESTER. some reasons on why there are no women priests... We haven't done it in 2000 years and the apostles didn't so we SHOULDN'T. This is called Tradition. If it is correct why wasn't it done sooner? N.B. Tradition is NOT infallible but it gives strong evidence for continuing a practice or custom. Christ was(is?) a man. The essence of the priesthood is sacrfice. Christ is offered to the Father at every Mass through the actions of the priest. He is both victim and principal priest. The priest takes the place of Christ in the eyes of the faithful in most things, so since Christ was a man, his earthly representative should also be a man. Christ came as a man and said the first Mass at the last supper therefore his reps should be as like Him as possible..therefore men. (I didn't say it was written in a stone memo..:-) ) There is a vast difference between being an apostle and a priest. They are seperate entities. So that Jesuit mentioned is not teaching IAW the Magesterium. Please tell your sister that she is NOT getting the proper position. BTW there are very FEW things a women can't do in the Church with the exception of those positions which require ordination such as priest monsignor bishop pope. She can be a theologian lay or cleric and can be a cardinal. Although the only lay cardinal was Bellermine. (BTW if any one can find something in Canon Law on this please post ASAP. My source, a priest professor, said he thinks that I am correct on this one.) As an aside this may be God's way of thwarting androgeny. But I can't prove it. BTW all laity in attendance at Mass can assist in offering the Mass and offer the sacrifice BUT NOT the same way as the priest. In the Oratre Fratres note.. Pray brothers that MY sacrafice and YOURS may be acceptable.................... so the laity are called to offer sacrfice, just not at the same level. I doubt that this is going to satisfy anybody but I tried. Marchionni V6M@PSUVM.BITNET