Faith does not follow the waves of fashion
The recent decision by the Anglican Church to admit women bishops is another roadblock to ecumenism. The Catholic Church has repeatedly declared that any ordination of women is contrary to divine law as expressed through Apostolic Tradition, and therefore not only illicit but also invalid.
In 325, the bishops of the ecumenical Council of Nicea stated: “We have made mention of the deaconesses, who have been enrolled in this position, although, not having been in any way ordained, they are certainly to be numbered among the laity.”
In 494, Pope Gelasius wrote, “As we have noted with vexation, contempt for divine truth has reached such a level that even women, it is reported, minister at the holy altar; and everything that was entrusted exclusively to the service of men is performed by the gender that has no right to do so.”
In 2002, Pope John Paul II made it clear that this practice is part of the ordinary Magisterium of the Church. Then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger pointed out that this teaching must also be embraced by supernatural faith. To base the acceptance of the contents of faith on the theological, scriptural and philosophical “insights” of the latest town crier smacks of conciliatorism and modernism. As pope, Ratzinger reminded us that “Faith does not follow the waves of fashion and the latest novelties.”
Rev. Secondo Casarotto, CS
Pastor, St. Anthony of Padua Church Buffalo
