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Henricus de Sergusio later became cardinal-bishop of Ostia and is also
known as Cardinalis Hostiensis. He wrote the Summa super Titulis
Decretalium, also called the Summa Aurea between 1250 and 1253; and
the Commentaria in Quinque Decretalium Libros in 1268
- Why women cannot be ordained priests
- Women cannot hold male responsibilities
- Eighteen reasons why women are worse off than
men
Translation from the latin by John
Wijngaards
Why women cannot be ordained
priests
“But apart from the above mentioned rules, the right sex is
required. For holy orders need to be conferred on men, not on women.As Ambrose
said on the passage in Timothy ‘Women should be modest . . .,
etc.’
For women may not receive the tonsure . . . . nor may their hair
be cut . . . . nor can any woman exercise the power of the keys . . . .nor
serve at the altar . . . . , though a woman may recite the Gospel during
matins.
With regard to the ordination of deaconesses, understand
‘deaconess’ as ‘abbess’ and being ordained as
‘receiving the veil’ . . . .”
Summa Aurea co. 188
Women cannot hold male
responsibilities
“A woman cannot fulfil male responsibilities . . . This applies
even to noble women . . . . and also to abbesses. For even an abbess does not
possess full spiritual jurisdiction since she can not hear confessions or
absolve sinners, nor exercise other functions that belong to the power of the
keys, however grand and noble she may be.
The reason is that, though the
most blessed Virgin was more excellent than all Apostles, her Son presented the
keys to them, not to her.
Neither is woman made in the image and likeness
of God, as the man is;
that is why is she is like the servant of the man,
since the man is the head of the woman . . . .
But also out of female
modesty should a woman abstain from interfering in a convention of
men.”
Commentaria I, fol. 173
r/v.
Eighteen reasons why women are worse off
than men
“In many articles of our law, the situation of woman is worse than
that of men” (Codex Iuris Civilis, I 7)
First, because a woman
may not act as judge . . . . unless a monarch entrust this function to her . .
. .
Secondly, because she cannot undertake arbitration . . . .
Thirdly,
because she may not teach, preach public sermons, hear confessions or exercise
any other function belonging to the power of the keys . . . .
Fourthly,
because she cannot receive holy orders . . . .
Fifthly because she cannnot
start a court case . . . .
In the eighth place, because she cannot launch
an accusation . . . .
In the ninth place, becasue she may not adopt a child
. . . .
In the fourteenth place, because her condition is worse as a
witness to a will . . .
In the fifteenth place, because she cannot
represent others in a court case . . . .
In the eighteenth place, in her
subjection to man, and the need to veil her head, and her (defective) formation
into the likeness of God.”
Commentaria I, fol.
204v.
Source: Ida Raming, The Exclusion of Women
from the Priesthood, Scarecrow Press, Metuchen 1976, pp. 83-87.
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