Liturgically, our program is very
strict. We are trained 'from the ground up' in our version of a 'pre-Vatican II
- style' mass.
Candidates for the Priesthood are
required to pass through all 5 degrees of minor orders (cleric, doorkeeper,
reader, exorcist, and acolyte), and the "intermediate" office of Sub-Deacon,
which still has a place in our High-Mass Celebrations, before becoming eligible
for Major Orders.
Everyone who is Ordained to the
Deaconate is neither obligated, nor promised to be admitted to the Priesthood.
If and when this is to be granted, if so desired, is, of course, decided by our
Presiding Bishop. On average our candidates for the Priesthood are usually
trained for 5-7 years before receiving Ordination.
Also, most of our Clergy are
"middle-aged" that is, they often do not enter minor orders until well into
their thirties. I am 41, and presently only our most recently Ordained Priest
is also my age,but we are the youngest.
Our Church is unique, in that, we feel
that we 're-create' in some sense, the Early Church in its original form. We
have kept those things "Catholic" that we find 'true to the spirit' of the
Early Church, and reject the modern innovations that we believe have
'desecrated it's mysteries' by making them all too common and
ordinary.
Of course, our interpretation of
Christ's Mission, our use of 'non-canonical gospels, and a few other sacred
texts interchangeably with 'canonical gospels', and,since we call ourselves
Gnostics or Gnostic Christians most Catholics, and certainly the Roman Church
would consider us heretics.
We do, however, recognize and value
Apostolic Succession, and we have many lines of Valid Apostolic Succession,
considered "Valid, but Illicit" by the Church of Rome.
So, now that I've adequately warned
you that my statement on the Ordination of Women comes from a 'Gnostic heretic'
who is, herself, an Ordained Deacon and Candidate for the Priesthood..you can
decide if this is useful in your argument for the Ordination of Women in the
Roman Church, or not.
I believe Christ to be a being beyond
the confines of gender, yes, he may have chosen to express himself at the time
of his incarnation in the body of the man Jesus, but his message and spirit is
universal and not confined either to gender or human expression or any physical
form. When he taught to his male AND female disciples, "the Kingdom of God is
within us ... "nearer than hands and feet" I see this as a promise to all of
mankind that in some way, great or small, we can all 'be a body for
him.'
Now whether some of us have the
calling or capacity to physically administer at the altar of his church, the
Sacrament of his Body and Blood, and to be the vehicle of his grace in this
consecration, I cannot say from personal experience, as I have not yet had that
opportunity and honor.
What I do know, is from my experiences
of serving at our Altar, assisting our Priests during Mass, officiating on the
occasions where, as Deacon, I am qualified to do so, and in my private prayers
and devotions.
I have found, that at the Altar it
does not matter whether you are, man, woman, or even that you are a 'person'
with separate qualities, interests, accomplishments or failures in your private
life...whether you are rich or poor, etc. I once read "God is no respecter of
persons", and in this sense of service, I have found that to be
true.
You become an "instrument" for the
divine and that only, if you allow your self to surrender to this impetus...it
is NOT you, Rev. So and So. who is in charge of the Sacrifice, it is Christ,
himself. Yes, later, perhaps during the Homily, after the service, interacting
with the Congregation it is you, personally, but during the consecration....the
divine act of love, all of one's self is 'subsumed' by the
infinite.
Are you called to this ultimate
service, to this divine sacrifice; as a true 'follower' of Christ? Are you
willing to have all that you recognize as 'yourself' including your gender
'sacrificed' for this cause? If so, then I encourage you to become a Priest. If
you are a women, it will be more difficult.
I am not aware of a feminine
equivalent of emasculated', but you will, when practicing your vocation have to
be 'a eunuch' of sorts. There is no precedence for 'female attire' , so you
will wear the same as the males. There is no precedence for calling a female
Priest "Father", so you will be called Reverend, or possibly just
friend.
As the 'Official Church of Rome'
does not sanction women in the priesthood, you will be scorned by many who
think your vocation is 'unchristian'. The men will look at you with curiosity,
and the women, strangely enough, are often the least accepting.
You cannot go where the male
Priests, even the 'heretical' ones are openly accepted. You will have to prove
yourself, over and over again, to those who think that because you are a woman,
you are not 'mature enough' or 'commanding enough' to handle the duties of this
office.
I am not, however, bitter (although
it may seem to be so) about any of this. I bear my own cross, as we all must.
The things that make it easier for the men, are also stumbling blocks for them,
and as so much is assumed of them, it is often taken for granted. If I
accomplish the same task, for instance, it seems a 'marvel' whereas they are
merely expected to do as well.
Anyway, I don't want to belabor the
point. I wrote this because I support women in the Priesthood, and I want all
Women and men to become Priests who are sincerely called to this vocation. And,
although we heretics, can, in this day and age (at least for the time being)
conduct our church as we see fit, I know that the "official Position of Rome'
in some way, affects all women in the Priesthood, recognized, or not,as it also
affects the status of women in society.
I have said my piece, and unless
otherwise represented, this is not the official 'position' of our church, it is
my personal opinion. If you would like to make this letter, or my contact
information available to anyone else you may do so, but I would prefer that you
give them this email address, if they wish to contact me privately.
revdonna@sbcglobal.com.
Sincerely,
Rev. (Deacon) Donna
Owen
April 28th, 2001
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