Sr. Vassa: There's no ontological impediment to priestesses
Is the male-only priesthood a discipline or essential to the nature of being a priest? Sr. Vassa (again unflinchingly taking up a contentious topic by climbing up the ladder to the highest platform and then jumping into the deep end head first) dives right in and says there is no reason beyond personal preference to not have female clergy. You know, when people ask me about women in priesthood, they say, 'Sister, why can't women be priests?' And I say, 'Women CAN be priests. We don't WANT them to be priests.' Because you see, God can do anything, and the Church, by divine authority, uh, can do anything, but, the Church doesn't want to - and that's a legitimate reason. What I don't like is when we TRY to pretend that there are other reasons for this, because it's legitimate not to want something, and there are reasons not to want this - right? - but, we shouldn't pretent that there's some... reason, that, for example, the maleness...
That is so Cool! Who says Orthodox don't know how to use instruments?! I think this is a perfect example of good enculturation in the church, not to mention a dang good celebration! Christ is risen!
ReplyDeleteIndeed He is Risen! I've seen a lot of good celebratory videos from African Orthodox parishes on Youtube. I should post more of them.
ReplyDeleteThanks to Fr. Dn. David for the initial link.
I like it.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome. The priest conducting was sure getting into it! I've heard some wimpy, mournful "Christ is risen"s in my time and this sure wasn't one of them! I'm going to pass this along to my sister who adopted twins from Ghana.
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