The Church often receives criticism for its continued commitment to an all-male priesthood. 

While the rest of Western Christianity continues to turn away from what has always been believed by altering the fundamental nature of the priesthood to include women, the Catholic church has on multiple occasions refused to go along with the crowd. 

Unfortunately, what is seen by some Catholics as the Church’s unwavering faithfulness to Christ is viewed by other Catholics as misogynistic. There are many Catholics in America who think either the church is wrong on this point, or they believe the church will eventually change its mind and they just have to wait it out. Neither of these views aligns with church teaching.

We encourage all parishioners, especially those who struggle with this particular piece of Church teaching, to read Pope John Paul II’s short but insightful Apostolic Letter ORDINATIO SACERDOTALIS and the short explanation written by Saint Tom’s Director of Evangelization & Adult Formation James McLean. 

Church Documents

• Declaration on the Question of Admission of Women to the Ministerial Priesthood, 15 October 1976 
• Ordinatio Sacerdotalis (May 22, 1994) | John Paul II

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Resources

• Statement on the Ordination of Women | USCCB