In answer to the first two comments on the last post, and to flesh things out, I offer a second post today. Do please read the orginal post first. Hope it helps clarify:
Once we have seen that the world and orthodox Christianity are united in desiring liberation for people but diametrically opposed in how they would manifest that liberation, we can approach the two ‘hot’ topics of our day. Homosexuality and women in holy orders. For a very full explanation on women in holy orders click here. The premise of this post runs throughout the article. A short summary however might be this:
Society promotes a view that women can ‘do what they will’ once unshackled from patriarchal oppression, gender is seen as largely irrelevant and certainly subservient to personal choice.
The church view would be that women are equal to men in worth, intellect and calling. Free and able to do many of the same things in life (practise medicine, run for parliament, lead businesses, tend children). However, like men, they are not free to be anything they want, as their female nature binds them to a certain ordered position within God’s kingdom. Hence a man cannot be a mother and a woman cannot be a father. Priesthood, understood within the Catholic concept, is a ministry of being and not of doing. Gender is not incidental but revelatory, and women cannot take on the sacramental life and act ‘in persona Christi’ as this changes the nature of Christ at the Eucharist. They are however free to take up leadership positions in the church and there are many empowering examples of such women, we might think of the BVM, Mother Theresa, S. Teresa, etc. In essence God calls men and women to work together, equal but with different callings, for the furtherance of his kingdom. I would point out that I am a huge fan of Ann Widdecombe, a woman of immense power and integrity who would share my view that women cannot be ordained into the priesthood. Tell Ms. Widdecombe that she is oppressed…if you dare!
As to sexuality, the world liberates people to ‘do as they will’, hence multiple partners, serial monogamy, quick divorce, an over sexualised media and the belief that sexual release is a human right are common themes in both the gay and straight world. The bible clearly demonstrates that, regardless of orientation, such things are fornication. God calls us to lead chaste lives. We are to exercise self control and attempt not to look at others with a lustful eye. This is incredibly difficult but remains the challenge. In our current world, many will and do fail. We are all sinners in need of God’s mercy. Nevertheless the marriage rite reminds us that sex is not primarily about us but the forming and cohesing of society. Marriage being given that children may have a loving and stable home in which to be nurtured. Every Christian is called to control their urges. For homosexuals, widows, widowers, single straights, this means striving to be celibate. For married people it means focusing solely on your spouse and not looking elsewhere for gratification. It also means entering the sexual arena in self service not self gain. A huge ask but there you have it. Chastity not sexual freedom is the benchmark of faith.
And please note, these things challenge this feeble sinner as much as any one else. However I do not believe I have the right or ability to change what God has revealed to us. It is my duty as a priest to promote it and seek to obey. Like many, many others I fail in that task daily.
Thank you very much for your blogpost here. Very much appreciated.