From "Good News about Sex and Marriage", Ascention Press
Christopher West says [paraphrased by moi]:
For many women, that the Church reserves sacramental priesthood only to men stirs much emotion fueled by "historical consciousness" of past oppression of women. Only recently, did the Church acknowledged and asked for forgiveness in JPII's letter to women, "objective blame, especially in particular historical context, has belonged to not just a few members of the church. May this regret be transformed on the part of the whole church, into a renewed commitment of fidelity to the Gospel vision" [for more complete discussion on the Gospel vision, one needs to study Theology of the Body in more in depth.]
This gospel vision is the great "nuptual mystery" of Christ's union with the Church, which is symbolized by our creation as male and female. To be faithful to this vision, we must uphold the dignity of woman always, and resist the social structures that have been made to favor men. It also calls us to resist the other extreme - considering men and women to be interchangeable.
Equality between the sexes does NOT mean sameness. The very difference, between men and women, is what reveals the awesome nuptual mystery. This fundamental difference literally brings life to the world [both by childbearing, and and the Incarnation of Christ].
More on this on the next post..
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1 comment:
I understand this, but one thing you can perhaps clear up for me:
If priests can only be men because they play the role of Jesus in the bride/bridegroom relationship, then how can men be members of the congregation (who plays the role of the bride? Obviously, men are also members of the congregation.
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