 |
 |
 |
|
|
|---|
|
| Main documents | Supporting Documents |
| General Introduction The devotion to Mary Priest is a latent tradition that implies that women can be ordained. ‘The priesthood of Mary’ Article in the Tablet (Dec. 1999) that outlines what is at stake |
Historical Survey Chronological list of more than 90 theologians and writers whose texts are found on this web site. Gallery of Images Illustrations of traditional art in which Mary is presented as a priest. |
Throughout the centuries the faithful have felt a devotion to Mary as priest. They intuitively saw, with their 'Catholic sense', that Mary shared in Jesus' priesthood more than anyone else. Implicitly their devotion contained the strong but usually unspoken conviction that Mary, though a woman, could easily have been ordained a priest, as much as any man. This conviction about Mary's priestly status has consequences for the ordination of women. Read on! |
|---|
| Why was Mary considered a Priest? The reasons given in tradition for hailing Mary as a priest. Mary as a Sacrificial Priest Mary’s participation in Jesus’ sacrifice, the main ground for acknowledging her priesthood. Mary’s relationship to priests Priests looked upon Mary as a model for their own ministry, especially regarding the Eucharist. Traditional prayers to Mary Priest. |
The Presentation in the Temple The text from St. Luke’s Gospel which was the basis for much commentary on Mary offering Jesus The Sanctuary in the Temple of Jerusalem An explanation of its sacred objects and places. Jesus’ sacrificial death The satisfaction theory presupposed in many ancient theological writings Three articles to correct mistakes in the ancient satisfaction theory: Is God a dictator? Did God want to see blood? Did God demand bloody satisfaction? |
| Mary and Holy Orders A description of how ancient writers solved the conflict between Mary’s priesthood and ‘the obstacle of her sex’ Mary and the priesthood of all the believers The common priesthood of all the faithful implies openness of all to Holy Orders |
Related articles: ‘Mary, the Virgin Priest’ by Dr. Tina Beattie. An excellent analysis of the tradition from a feminist perspective. Re-imagining Mary at Christmas by Prof. Kim Power. New images to replace distortions of the past. |
 |
|
|
|---|
 |
|---|
Please, credit this document
as published by www.womenpriests.org!
