Speaking of Mary and the Priesthood is certainly something which most Catholics have never ever heard let alone thought about. You probably will be very surprised in reading this intriguing fact of past Church history. In John Wijngaards Book, “The Ordination of Women in the Catholic Church”, he states, “… in the run-up to its dogmatic definition in 1854, Mary’s Immaculate Conception was often justified on the grounds of her being a priest. Tradition frequently applied Hebrews 7: 26 to her. On this same thought of Mary being a priest, she as well was a sacrificial priest, something which Wijngaards, noted is not afforded to any women today.”
Vehemently Archaic Thinking
At the same time that Mary, was high up on her deserved Pedestal, you had the Church Fathers, Theologians, and, Canon Lawyers with their vehemently archaic thinking, developing new Canon Laws to oppose Ordination to the Priesthood by women. Their mindset of that time was so entrenched with women’s inferiority, they’re being unclean, sinful, and of course, their very sex, not being made in God’s image literally cinched the deal. It truly was like one Church, with two completely different sides to it. Mary’s side was one of complete honor, respect, and dignity even though she too was a woman. Yet, for any other women, this other side of this same Church certainly mirrored the furthest thing from being treated with any semblance of respect. There was total unworthiness, along with constant depravity lacking even an ounce of dignity.
Recovering A Previous Tradition
Talk about a recovery of an older tradition in seeing the role which Mary previously occupied as a women priest in our Church History/tradition. When you think of it, in allowing women today to regain their previous roles, really would not be changing tradition, but rather bringing back past tradition as it actually was in our church. The Hierarchy today, would contend, you can’t make any change because tradition would be altered. Yet, it was the hierarchy of centuries ago that altered the early Church Tradition of Women bishops, deacons, and, priests to begin with.
Retro
How ironic today that the phrase Retro is so huge. Basically, whatever retro item you want, there is a category for it. Why is it so popular? The particular item being sought after literally brings back special memories and times which resonate deeply for one. Even though that retro item comes from a previously different time frame, it seamlessly slides into our present-day era with no problem. What would bring back the retro roles of early women in our Church, actually be like. ? At first, there would be nothing from the past for women to identify with. That tradition of actually doing, serving the People of God, that continuum of being passed down from one generation to the next does not exit. Any special feelings, sentiments or memories of a former family member, relative or friend being a women priest, or deacon were forever taken away by our early Church Fathers. We still certainly retained the memory of Mary, Jesus’ mother and Mary Magdalene who was the first witness to the Resurrection. But more special now for us is the actual realization that Mary Mother of God, was actually a women priest!
To learn more about this topic, be sure to opt-in for Chapter 4 of the book, Scandal in the Shadows. Click the image to the right.
