I was featured as a guest on the “One More Thing Before You Go Podcast” hosted by Michael Hurst. Throughout our discussion on the topic of Women Priests, numerous questions arose. I delved into a lesser-known chapter in early Christianity, shedding light on the concealed history of Women in Priestly positions. You might be intrigued as to what period I am alluding to.

I find it perplexing why the Catholic Church hierarchy refrains from publicly acknowledging this aspect of their own history. What motivates them to keep this specific period under wraps? What are they hesitant to reveal to the laity of the Church? This practice of keeping certain aspects of Church history hidden has effectively silenced any mention of women holding previous Religious Priestly roles in the Catholic Church.

AN INGRAINED MANTRA

A mantra ingrained in the minds of Catholics has always been the assertion that there were never Women Priests in the Church’s history. Discovering through Biblical research that this claim is false raises the question of what real losses Catholic women have suffered. They remain deprived of the rich Religious Heritage that once allowed women to serve as Deacons, Bishops, or Priests. Had this tradition not been disrupted by the Church Hierarchy, it could have been passed down through generations, serving as a powerful testament of faith on the Church Altar for young Catholic girls today.

While it is one thing for the Catholic Church to dismiss the factual history of Women in Priestly positions, it is another to disregard Mary, Mother of God, as a Woman Priest, which is reprehensible. In 1926, the Church hierarchy stripped Mary Mother of God of her title, “The Model For All Priesthood In The Catholic Church.” Reflecting on this action raises questions about their thought process and a seemingly desperate attempt to prevent the resurgence of Women Priests in the Catholic Church.

What struck me as particularly chilling was not only their disrespect for Mary herself but also for her son, Jesus. These supposed men of God failed to model the true ministry of Jesus, a deficiency sorely felt in the Church today.

Enjoy the full episode at https://www.beforeyougopodcast.com/margaret-oconnor/