The Ordination of Women Flashcards
(26 cards)
Different responses to the NT verses on the issue of gender
1) Christian Egalitarians: those who believe that men and women should be permitted equal roles in the Church.
2) Christian Complementarians: those who believe men and women are equal but different, so their roles in the Church should be different and should complement each other. Found in Roman Catholic Church- if genders have different inherent natures, they have different roles.
Protestant view: Priesthood of all Believers- all vocations are of equal value, and therefore they do not believe in ordination to the priesthood. The issue of female ordination is the same as the issue about gender equality.
Key Terms for Ordination of Women:
Anglican Communion = a worldwide group of Churches which are self-governing, but all share a measure of common theology with the CoE, and all pay respect to the Archbishop of Canterbury.
General Synod = governing and decision body of the Church of England. It comprises of three houses: the house of Bishops, the house of Clergy, and the house of Laiety.
Sacrament = physical action which expresses a physical meaning.
Consecration = to make something or someone sacred, or the religious right by which a priest is made a Bishop.
Catholic view- Complementarian
- Men and woman are equal but different and therefore have different roles.
- This is supported by Natural Law; people should live in a way that reflects their inherent nature.
Catholic view- Apostolic Succession
- This can only be passed on from men to men.
- Unbroken succession goes back to Jesus’ Apostles, who were all men.
This position was confirmed in 1976 by a Vatican declaration: ‘The Church sees herself as bound by the fact that Jesus chose exclusively men to be present at the Last Supper for the institution of the priesthood.’- Youcat.
Protestant view- The Priesthood of All Believers
- A key feature of Reformation Theology
- All are equal before God, and there is no need for an intermediary priest to receive God’s grace.
- Protestant churches today have varying views on the ministry of women, but these focus on whether women can hold a position of leadership, rather than the Catholic view of a special holy priesthood.
- Therefore, arguments for and against female leaders in the Protestant Churches are the same as those for gender equality generally.
Continuing debate about the ordination of women in the CoE (1944-today)
- Approach to women’s ordination in the Anglican Churches is halfway between the Protestant and Catholic traditions. The CoE accepts some of the freedom of biblical interpretation in Protestantism, but with the heirarchical and priestly structure of Roman Catholicism.
Timeline of the ordination of women
Positive:
1944- Florence Lim ordained
1971- Two female priests ordained in Hong Kong
1944- First women ordained
2015- first female Bishop ‘Libby Lane’ consecrated
Negative:
2017- There are still some who oppose the ordination of women completely and use ‘flying bishops’, or ‘alternative episcopal oversight.’
What was the main difference in the debate about female bishops compared to female priests?
The debate about female bishops centered on the Catholic view of the Apostolic succession.
What is the role of a Bishop in the Church?
The role of a Bishop includes overseeing Church congregations, ordaining priests, and administering the sacrament of confirmation.
Why did traditionalists consider the ordination or confirmation by a woman invalid?
Traditionalists believed that a woman could not continue the tradition of male ordination and consecration going back to the apostles.
What did some Conservative Churches in the Anglo-Catholic tradition insist on regarding female bishops?
They insisted that they would not accept the oversight of a female bishop or any bishop who consecrated female priests.
What arrangements were made for those who could not accept female priests and bishops?
Arrangements were made for them to be cared for by ‘provincial episcopal visitors’ or ‘flying bishops’.
What was the role of ‘provincial episcopal visitors’?
They were responsible for the care of those who, in conscience, could not accept the ministry of female priests and bishops.
What did some Anglican clergy feel about the Church of England’s ministry?
Some Anglican clergy felt that the Church of England had ceased to have a legitimate ministry.
What action did some Anglican clergy take in response to their feelings about the Church of England?
Some asked to be received into the Roman Catholic Church and to receive ordination into the Roman Catholic priesthood.
What exception was made for some Anglican priests moving to the Roman Catholic Church?
An exception was made for some married Anglican priests, even though Catholic priests are normally required to be celibate.
What does ‘catholic’ mean in this context?
‘Catholic’ refers to the denomination, whereas ‘catholic’ (lowercase) means universal.
What is one argument against the ordination of women as priests and bishops?
The decision lacks catholic consent i.e. without consent from the universal Church.
What is one argument for the ordination of women?
Sometimes one branch of the universal Church must act independently to do what is right. In declaring the Pope infallible, the Catholic Church did not consult other Christians. So in this case, the CoE was justified in taking action without seeking the agreement of other Christians
What was Jesus’ pragmatic decision regarding the role of women?
FOR: Jesus chose men for his mission. Had he chosen women as disciples, his mission would have never taken off. This is because the role of women at the time was motherhood, so women could not leave their children behind. The ordination of women likewise reflects the culture of today’s society.
Catholic counter to culture point:
AGAINST: Jesus challenged many social conventions of his day, but only chose men as apostles and Church leaders.
Religious change should not be dictated by culture, although it can be influenced by it.
What does the idea of equality require?
FOR: An egalitarian interpretation; refusing women ordination treats them as unequal. To refuse women ordination is to regard and treat them as unequal.
What does the ordination of female bishops not threaten?
FOR: Gender should have nothing to do with the Apostolic Succession. There is no reason why the ordination of female bishops should break it.
