Catholics are obligated to the sacrament of confession once a year. (Whether they need it or not. )

Contrary to popular opinion, they routinely confess the same way others do, direct to God and for some of us, on a daily basis.

That outsiders think that Catholics have “no personal relationship with God” and can only relate thru the organization can not be more erroneous, btw.

What makes you think Catholic women can’t?

The only things a priest can do that nuns and parishoners can’t do is transubstantiation and exclusively administer 3 of the 7 sacraments.

(A priest can not perform confirmation, it has to be a bishop in keeping with Scriptural translation).

Any Catholic can administer baptism and communion and in the RC, marriage is a ritual performed BY the man and woman and technically, despite tradition and church preference, does not require a priest.

I’ve never understood why outsiders think Catholic women are oppressed. It’s never been my experience.

“can’t”

Female and male can exercise their God given gifts as He wills, not man. I’m not Catholic, and don’t believe in priest, so for me this issue is the rights of these women to exercise the authority given to them by Christ to pray, declare the Word of God, administer communion to congregation, be active in overseeing etc., not perpetually tucked away somewhere silent…

ok bib… lol, this time I’m going to bed !

I am not sure about Catholic women being silent on anything. I was raised in the church, went to parochial schools, taught by the nuns and within an extended Catholic family.

I myself can be relentless in debate because I took so much to heart when the nuns would say “Have the courage of your convictions.”

I did not know a one to be silent or subjugated, they all had/have very big mouths like me.

If there was a common theme in every family within, it was along the lines of “He rules the roost. I rule the rooster.”

Anecdotal to be sure but if Catholic women are oppressed and subjugated at home, I haven’t seen it.

As far as nuns being oppressed becaue they are prohibited from priesthood, I don’t see it that way at all anymore than I see priests as oppressed because they can’t be nuns. The vocations are defined a bit differently but no way nuns don’t get to minister and even preach. (Lord knows, I heard loads of them preaching).

I totally agree with you about our example in our current surroundings.

Ok bib, it has been a joy talking to you and MsBehaved today, but it’s off to bed for me !

I acknowledge they are there, “viva la difference!”

I believe we all have a God given duty to live up to our highest abilities and to work to make the world a place that all not only can but do.

That is ministry to me. We need not all go to the darkest Africa and minister to 1,000’s at a time. we need not stand in the pulpit and deliver sermons to the “choir.”

Our message is spread by word and example. Our gender does not make that any less real or worthy. Indeed, it is our biological nature to be the nurturers that puts us into a superior postition to do just that.

We minister to those in our circle and collectively, that’s zillions.

Anyone who has ever known me knows I am the last one who could ever be subjugated to anyone.

(Well, except my kids/motherhood but even then, my terms. I admit though, to me there is a certain indentured servitude when one has kids that never ends. )

I think I got lost a couple of comments ago when I was trying to clarify that I believe God raises up women for leadership as well as men. I don’t categorize silence and subjugation as “biological differences”, but as oppression and something Christ condemns. I could have misunderstood your responses, but I was left with the impression that you disagreed.

I don’t think that’s you but I do think that it made the point I tried to make.

IF we are to gain equal rights in all areas of the “arena” it will be by doing it ourselves, not legislating.

Already women comprise more in numbers in college and the workforce, they have a very healthy proportion of the sciences and professional positions.

As the marxists/socialists stopped looking for political affirmation and simply invaded both parties, we too should take their example.

There is nothing at all stopping any female from pursuing higher endeavors but they themselves.

Power will NEVER be conceded no matter who is in charge. Power is taken it is won, it is confiscated.

This is an issue of power, who wants it, who has it.

I do?