by Bob Sullivan
If there is one tried and true way to determine if you are on the path of discipleship or not, it is to discern whether you are seeking recognition, praise, power, or authority. If your desire is for any of these things, you are on the wrong path. You have seen a perfect example of this wrong path if you have noticed a large billboard in Lincoln which says, “Stop Male Supremacy in the Catholic Church! Ordain Women Priests!”
The argument over authority in the Church is nothing new.
In Numbers 12, Miriam and Aaron, Moses’ sister and brother, had grown envious of Moses’ authority and attempted to assert their own authority over the people of Israel by claiming that they were prophets, too! God ironed things out in a very “Old Testament” way. He left their presence and Miriam’s skin immediately turned leprous. She was later healed, but God had made His point clear.
Unfortunately, this point has needed to be brought up many times since the days of Moses. Jesus had to explain this to his Apostles, including James and John (Mark 10:35-45). As soon as someone vies for authority and recognition in the Church or in the world, they have exhibited an enormous misunderstanding of Christ and the Gospel. Instead of seeking celebrity, recognition, power, authority, praise, etc., Christians are called to humility. This is why the Litany of Humility is such an important prayer for any and all Christians. I’ll come back to that.
Aside from this, the billboard broadcasts lies which are easily dispelled. First, is male supremacy propping up the Catholic Church? Secondly, would ordaining women reduce or eliminate male supremacy if it did exist? The answer to both of these questions is “no.”
I can understand why an ill-informed person could look at the Catholic Church and conclude that its existence depends on male supremacy. However, this could only be the conclusion of someone who is not familiar with scripture, history, and some basic facts.
For one thing, the Church venerates one human being much more than it venerates or honors any other human being, and the human being with the highest veneration and honor is not a man, but a woman, our Blessed Mother. The rest of the saints we venerate also include at least as many women as men.
Additionally, the role of the priest is not one of power or authority. The role of the priest is one of sacrifice and service. Though some priests fail to live out the sacrificial and service roles of the priesthood at times, this is not because of the Church, it is due to individual human flaws. The Church, however, teaches and expects that its priests and bishops to serve with humility, as demonstrated by Christ Himself in the washing of the disciples’ feet, and most clearly and perfectly in his passion and death (1 Peter 5:3 and Matthew 20:25).
In fact, many priests will tell you that they have very little authority, and what authority they do have, such as the authority to make decisions and set expectations in their parish or community, is often met with moderate respect by many and ignored by most. It is hard to say why someone would vie for a position of service and sacrifice, and lately more than a little disdain in some circles. It is fairly obvious that a person who sees the priesthood as a stepping stone to power, does not have a relationship with Jesus Christ, a.k.a. The Suffering Servant.
As already explained by St. John Paul II in 1995, in his Letter Of Pope John Paul II To Women, we are all heirs to history. The most important events in history (by far) are the events of the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Not only was Jesus incarnated as a male, he chose men to be His apostles and the bishops, priests, and deacons of the Church He founded. This is because the priest stands in persona Christi when he is administering the sacraments. In other words, the priest is standing “in the person of Christ,” who came to us as a male.
St. John Paull II concludes his letter by pointing out that the Church lacks the authority to ordain women because it would be contrary to the way God ordered creation and the Church itself. The Church lacks the authority to ordain women, because the decision has already been made by God.
Does the Church’s position on an all-male priesthood discriminate against women? Again, I can see how someone could come to believe that, but it would be a very nearsighted misunderstanding. Over 99% of the population of the earth cannot be ordained, including me. However, I do not claim that this means the Church is discriminating against me. Believe me, there are times when I know I’d be doing a better job than some of the priests, and bishops too! Perish the thought. Many priests and bishops would be a lot better than me at practicing law, raising a family, and all the other things I have been called to do. Since I live in a glass house, I had better be careful about where I’m casting my stones.
The ordination of women (which the Church has no authority to do), would not impact any real or perceived male supremacy in the Church. What it would do is confuse more people (especially children and the poorly catechized) as to who Jesus Christ is, which is the fundamental problem in our culture.
