I come from a denomination that ordained women early in its history,
and I’ve always been around really great ministers, both male and female. In
laity, same thing: male and female leaders, some good, some bad, and I never
really gave much thought to whether gender mattered in church.
I’ve written before that I fasted and prayed about going to seminary,
and God told me to become Catholic instead. The instead part was implicit, but also inherent, because becoming
Catholic obviously meant ordination would never be in my future. And maybe I’m
ok with that because I never felt a calling to ordination even when I wanted to.
Most of the time, the all-male priesthood doesn’t bother me. Other times, it
bothers me only in that I think I’m supposed to be bothered by it. It seems
sexist, so shouldn’t I be bothered? Am I sexist because I’m ok with the status
quo?
Gender is very binary in the Church; I grant that. God is masculine;
the Church is feminine. There are religious vocations for both men and women. Both
can be leaders and teachers. On the ground level, there is equality (societal
inequality notwithstanding). The exception is in the apostolic succession,
which is exclusively male. But that goes back to the binary thinking. A priest
(or deacon or bishop) serves several roles in
persona Christi, that is, as Christ. Christ is male, therefore, the vessel
must be as well.
To really get a handle on Catholicism, one has to understand the
importance of symbols being more than symbolic. (This should be a whole
separate post.) Basically, to administer sacraments, you have to have very
specific things, or the ritual isn’t valid. Baptism must include water. Eucharist
must include wheat and wine. Consecration of the Eucharist or granting of absolution
in Reconciliation must include an ordained male in persona Christi.
Richard Beck posted an interesting article contrasting the patriarchy of evangelical churches and the Catholic Church. While I don’t think celibacy is
the issue he’s making it (look at Eastern Rites and Orthodox), I think he makes
some good points. The Church doesn’t make sweeping statements that men are better
at leadership than women. But some men are called to a particular vocation that
is not an option for women.
No discussion on sexism and the Church is complete without mentioning
Mary. The fact is Mary is a woman held in very high regard. She’s first among
all saints, including Peter. She’s the standard of which all people, women and men, fall short. Christ came into
this world through a woman. But Mary isn’t honored just for being Jesus’
mother. She is honored for fiat, her
love and devotion to the Lord. She is the new Ark of the Covenant and Mother of
God. The Church recognizes her greatness. But because Mary is such an exception,
I really don’t like her as an example of women in the Church. I think more
suitable role models would be St. Helena, St. Hildegard of Bingen, St. Catherine
of Siena, St. Joan of Arc, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, and Dorothy Day (whose
cause for canonization is underway).
So am I sexist for accepting a Church that excludes women from its
highest legislative ranks and from ordination? Am I sexist for seeing my priests
as parts of specifically prescribed tools for administration of my religion’s
rituals? Maybe. But I don’t like being told I’m in a disenfranchised group when
I don’t feel disenfranchised. My opinions are heard. I have opportunities for
leadership. I have choices of vocation, and freedom within those vocations for personal
expression.
I believe all people should have options in how they express themselves
vocationally, because not all women are called to be silent and not all men are
called to be leaders. And I support the ordination of women in religions and
denominations that have different understandings of ministerial or priestly
roles. But I also support my Church’s all-male priesthood based on her interpretation
of apostolic succession and administration of sacraments. My Church is complex
and beautiful and feminine and vibrant. If she’s also sexist, well, I still
stand with her.
