I recently appeared as a guest on the “Moped Outlaws Podcast” hosted by Gregory Wilker and Marc Wendt. When one hears the word radical, perhaps the mind conjures thoughts of extremism or a desire for significant change or action. Our discussion centered around the issue of women’s ordination in the Catholic Church. Today, beyond the Church hierarchy, many members of the laity consider the notion of allowing women to become priests to be a radical idea.

Their podcast provided me with the opportunity to present another perspective on this issue: the radical truth that women held religious priestly positions in the early history of our Church.

I was asked, “What is the Catholic Church losing by ostracizing these women and not allowing them to hold leadership positions?” A survey has revealed that the primary group of women leaving the Church today are millennials. If they are leaving, then the Catholic Church is losing its future parishioners.

“What would be gained in the spiritual growth of the Catholic Church if women were more present in leadership roles?” They would begin to reclaim a lost religious heritage that has been absent for centuries in our Church.

We have failed to acknowledge the radical truth that Mary, Mother of God, was a woman priest. We need to resurrect this historical reality of Mary as a priest, serving as a positive role model for women in our Church today. When discussing leadership, we must recognize that there is an entire segment of the Church that has no say in its governance. Were we not, as baby girls, baptized in the same manner as baby boys? Yes, our baptism has never granted us equal status with men in the Church. The Church hierarchy persists in disregarding Jesus’ own words of equality to all women from Genesis 1:27. Reclaiming a leadership role would finally enable women in the Catholic Church to respond to their own call to become priests.

Finally, “What possibilities open up for humanity if we embrace the rise of femininity in spiritual leadership?” Women priests would be able to relate to women differently, especially in the confessional, regarding certain subjects. Having a woman as a priest would provide a missing role model for other women in the Church. In discussions about women priests, the Church often brings up the words “feminist” and “power,” which detract from the true emphasis of the issue. Lost in this debate is a woman’s spirituality with God, which has nothing to do with power. A woman priest could also offer a homily from a perspective distinct from that of a male priest on the same topic.

By taking the time to consider the radical truth of the other side of the women priest issue, you will truly grasp the factual reality of this remarkable aspect. To Mary, Mother of God, Mary Priest!

Enjoy the full episode on Apple Podcast CLICK HERE or on YouTube CLICK HERE