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for Catholic women who feel called
to the priesthood
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| Reasons for this option | The Options | Risk factors |
Read: “Yes, I am a Catholic woman priest!” by Ludmila Javorová; Interview with Ludmila Javorová. |
1. Seek ordination from your own local Catholic
bishop?
This is really an ideal scenario, unfortunately out of reach for
most. But we have an interesting precedent in our time. Under the communist
regime of Czechoslovakia, Bishop Felix Davidek ordained several women deacons
and priests (1970-1975). Background reading: Bishop Felix Davidek |
Risks Conflict with the rest of the Church . . . The danger of splitting up the Church community will deter most bishops from acting on their own. |
Read: Journey to Priesthood by Catherine Calore |
2. Join another Church in which women are ordained?
Other Christian Churches have begun ordaining women to the
priesthood. Background reading: Sister Christian Churches. |
Personal
isolation . . . ? A Catholic Woman’s Journey to Vocation by Maria Marlowe Walking into a trap . . . ? Is this the right path? by John Wijngaards |
Read: * Statement regarding the ordination of women in Austria (29 June 2002) by Ida Raming; * Reflections by Gisela Forster |
3. Have yourself ordained for the Catholic Church by the "River
Ordination" movement?
This began as the ‘Passau group’: seven women who had themselves ordained by Bishop Anthony Brasschi at Passau on 29 June 2002. Four of the women have subsequently been ordained bishops. The women see their action as a prophetic gesture. In spite of their protestations that they want to remain Catholic, they were excommunicated by Rome. Background info pack: The Ordination of Catholic Women in Austria |
Risk: schism, by setting up a parallel hierarchical
structure * Protest ordinations neglect community by Rosemary Ruether; * Ordinations of Catholic Women by outside bishops? by John Wijngaards; * “We shall have ordination!” - by any means?! by Joseph Niewiadomski. |
Read: Celebrating the Eucharist without a Priest? by Peter Trummer Catholic Women Ordained Priests? - alternatives by Marcel Vincent Do not wait any longer! by Soline Vatinel |
4. Preside at the Eucharist etc. without ordination?
Christian communities have the right to celebrate the Eucharist. Many theologians agree that, in extraordinary circumstances, when no ordained minister is present, the community can appoint one among them, a lay woman or lay man, to preside. This is now happening in many places in the Church. The need is well illustrated by Sr. Eileen McCormack, missionary in Peru. She presided over Eucharists which she celebrated for her abandoned communities. She was killed by the ‘Shining Path’ terrorists in 21 May, 1991. Background reading: ‘Do This in Memory of Me!’ by Eileen McCormack |
Risks Underestimating the value of sacramental ordination? * What you need to know about the Sacrament of Ordination by John Wijngaards * Apostolic Office: Sacrament of Christ by Edward J. Kilmartin Gradual alienation of some communities from the main Church body? |
Read: To protect anonimity we cannot publish the letters we received on this. |
5. Be directly ordained by Christ himself?
A (very small) number of Catholic women believe they have been directly ordained by Christ himself. They feel his call so strongly that they believe he himself has imposed hands on them. Background reading: Saint Catherine of Siena. |
Risks Losing sight of the need of the external sacrament? Directly ordained by Christ? by John Wijngaards Illusion? |
Read: Why do I stay in the Catholic Church? Discerning the Spirit’s New Creation by John Wijngaards |
6. Stay in the Catholic Church and reform it from
within?
Women who feel called to the priesthood but remain within the Catholic Church do this for a variety of reasons. They value their Catholic roots. They feel a special obligation to the Christian family to which they belong. They support reform. Rather than focusing on fulfilling their own personal vocation, they make it their aim to open the priestly ministry for all Catholic women. They want all women in the Catholic Church to enjoy the right to full participation in all ministries, including the episcopate and the papacy. Background reading: pioneer Gertrud Heinzelmann. |
Risks Lack of vocation support . . ? Read our Vocation Support section! Isolation . . ? Link up with a Catholic Women’s Ordination movement in your country! Depression . . ? Take an Antidote! |
| Please send us your comments and suggestions! |
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| Six options for Catholic women who feel called to the priesthood? |
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Please, credit this document
as published by www.womenpriests.org!
