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Women Priests, Fr. Feeney & Muslim Danger


Ban on Women Priest
People Commenting
Mr. Guimarães,

In your article Women Priests, Serious Cracks in the Dam, you incorrectly state that John Paul II banned women’s ordination (paragraph 13). He did not. He said the Church has no authority to ordain women.

I think it is important to note that he was not using his legislative authority, but that of his interpretation of doctrine.

     J.F.

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The Editor responds:

Mr. J.F.,

I do not see clearly how your affirmation contradicts mine, as you imagine. For me to say “the Church has no authority to ordain women” is tantamount to affirm “it is impossible for the Church to admit women priests,” which is also equivalent to the statement, “it is impossible to have women priests in the Church.” When we say that it is impossible to have something in an institution, we normally affirm that thing is “banned” from it.

Your second remark, which seems intended to reinforce your objection, is also unclear. I do not see why and how the Pope, when speaking as interpreter of doctrine, would become unable to prohibit women priests.

I would expect you to present clearer objections, especially when they are so assertive.

Anyway, since you peremptorily deny that my comment is objective, let me go to the source to confirm with you and my readers what John Paul II actually wrote.

In the Apostolic Letter Ordinatio Sacerdotalis, John Paul II first quoted strong affirmations of Paul VI basically saying that “the Church holds that is not admissible to ordain women” (§ 1b). He then invoked a convincing theological rationale to oppose those ordinations. I reproduce the text for your perusal:

“In fact the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles attest that this call was made in accordance with God's eternal plan; Christ chose those whom he willed (cf. Mk 3:13-14; Jn 6:70), and he did so in union with the Father, "through the Holy Spirit" (Acts 1:2), after having spent the night in prayer (cf. Lk 6:12). Therefore, in granting admission to the ministerial priesthood, the Church has always acknowledged as a perennial norm her Lord's way of acting in choosing the twelve men whom he made the foundation of his Church (cf. Rv 21:14). These men did not in fact receive only a function which could thereafter be exercised by any member of the Church; rather they were specifically and intimately associated in the mission of the Incarnate Word himself (cf. Mt 10:1, 7-8; 28:16-20; Mk 3:13-16; 16:14-15). The Apostles did the same when they chose fellow workers who would succeed them in their ministry. Also included in this choice were those who, throughout the time of the Church, would carry on the Apostles' mission of representing Christ the Lord and Redeemer.” (§ 2c)

Therefore, what the Pope said is that by the authority of each of the Three Divine Persons, by the testimony of the Sacred Books, and by the tradition of the Church, only men can represent Christ to fulfill the mission He gave the Apostles and to exercise the ministerial priesthood.

Then, to respond to those who re-opened the discussion on the topic of women’s ordination, he emphatically affirmed:

“Wherefore, in order that all doubt may be removed regarding a matter of great importance, a matter which pertains to the Church's divine constitution itself, in virtue of my ministry of confirming the brethren (cf. Lk 22:32), 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.” (§ 4b)

In other words, clearly invoking the papal power of teaching, he declared that the Church cannot modify her divine constitution, and once and for all he affirms that women cannot be made priests.

I believe these words certainly configure a definitive ban to the ordination of women. Consequently, I am forced to conclude that your objections are futile.

     Cordially,

     A.S. Guimarães
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2,000 Hail Marys
People Commenting
Dear TIA,

Hail Mary Most Pure!

Thank you very much indeed for your response to my question regarding how to defend our Faith in a place where there is a strong Mohammedan presence. By the way, what do you think of the 1,000 and 2,000 Hail Mary's Devotions?

Offering my consideration and esteem, I remain,

     J.C.C., Philippines

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TIA responds:

Dear J.C.C.,

In principle everything that promotes devotion to Our Lady is good and should be encouraged. However, since she herself came to ask us to pray the full Rosary (150 Hail Marys), we believe the Rosary should be given priority over other devotions.

We do not deny that this devotion of 1,000 or 2,000 Hail Marys may be very well intentioned, but it seems somewhat redundant with regard to the Rosary, and consequently tends to put the Rosary in the shadow.

We strongly recommend you to pray the three mysteries of the Rosary (15 decades) daily instead of those 2,000 Hail Marys.

     Cordially,

     TIA correspondence desk

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Fr. Feeney Vindicated
People Commenting
TIA,

Interesting article by a liberal Catholic about how Fr. Feeney was unjustly excommunicated, here.

Some videos are here.

Interestingly enough, one of the articles even provides a link to Bill Strom's Catholic Vox blog.

     Thanks,

     R.L.
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Muslim Danger
People Commenting
TIA,

It is a fact that what you said about the present danger that the Muslims and Ottomans present to Western Civilization – that they are biding their time for the right moment to attack the West. The majority of people, who are not knowledgeable of history, do not appreciate the danger they present to us.

Their Ottoman philosophy excludes ours and does not respect our rights at all. Clearly, as recent and past events have proved, they intend to take over the West and push down our throats their beliefs, regardless of our own freedoms and rights. It is strange that the politicians, who decide the policies of a nation, do not seem to be aware of this danger and are doing absolutely nothing to stem the flood of Muslims into our countries of the Western world.

You, as well as I, are very aware of this danger; why aren't they?

     Regards,

     S.L.M.
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Posted July 21, 2011

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The opinions expressed in this section - What People Are Commenting -
do not necessarily express those of TIA


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