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WHY WOMEN SHOULD NOT BE ORDAINED
In
1988, the CFW produced a leaflet stating the reasons why women should not be ordained.
The text of the leaflet is reproduced below. It is interesting (and sad) to
see how many of the leaflet's predictions have been realised in the
intervening years.
1.
Jesus
Christ chose twelve apostles - all men. Furthermore, at the Last Supper, only
men were present. Although it was not customary for women to play any major
role in society, Jesus Christ was revolutionary in many ways and did not
hesitate to break the conventions of his time. Therefore, had He thought it
right to do so, He would have included women amongst the Apostles; indeed he
had many women followers and friends from whom to choose. Yet Jesus Christ
purposely did not choose any woman as an Apostle. Who are we to alter what He
did and the example He gave?
2.
The
Apostles and early Church, following Jesus Christ's instructions and example,
appointed only men as bishops, priests and deacons. Had the Apostles thought
it right they could have conferred this ministry on women, of whom there were
many in the Apostolic Church, but they purposely did not do so. Since then, for
nearly 2000 years, the Church has continued to appoint only men to the
Apostolic Ministry.
3.
Saint
Paul had the authority of an Apostle, to direct the development of the
Church, and he explicitly said that women must not usurp authority over men.
He also said that women should not teach or speak in church. (1 Timothy 2,12, and 1 Cor. 14,34). The
ordination of women contravenes these rulings.
4.
In
the beginning God created man first, and then woman to be a helpmeet for him
(Gen. 2,18). St. Paul says (Eph. 5,22-25) "Wives submit yourselves unto your own
husbands as unto the Lord, for the husband is head of the wife", and
"husbands love your wives, even as Christ loved the Church and gave
himself for it". St. Peter states similarly. It is also a fact that men
and women are physically, psychologically, emotionally and functionally very
different. Men and women are complementary to each other, but not equal or
the same. It is these God-given differences which Jesus Christ, the Bible and
the Church have always clearly and rightly recognised - and not least with
regard to ordination.
5.
Scripture
and tradition are
the guide. In neither is there any authority or warrant for the appointment
of women bishops, priests or deacons. We cannot ignore what is indicated in
the Bible or the wisdom of nearly 2000 years.
6.
The
appointment of a woman bishop, priest or deacon cannot therefore be valid, and
at any point at which it may occur a break is inevitably caused in the
Apostolic succession, on which the historic and authentic ministry of the
Church is founded. It follows that the sacraments that such a woman professed
to administer would themselves also not be valid.
7.
The
ordained priesthood fulfils a 3-fold function: to bless, to absolve, and to
offer the Eucharist. This priesthood the Catholic Church (of which the Church
of England claims to be a part) has always confined to men, after the example
of Christ in choosing his apostles and presiding over the Last Supper. The
Eucharist is a sacramental function, and it is important that each part of
its symbolism carries the conviction of authenticity. The priest at the Altar
stands as the effectual symbol of the God/Man Jesus Christ. This, and the whole
nature of the Eucharist raises the most fundamental objections to the
ordination of women priests.
8.
As
long as the Church of England says the Creed and believes itself to be part
of the One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, it cannot make such a radical
change without the consent of the whole Church - including Roman Catholic and
Orthodox. The C. of E. has no right to take such unilateral action,
especially in the light of the objections from these other branches of the
Church and from so many members of the C. of E. itself.
9.
The
creation of women 'deacons' and 'priests' seriously jeopardises relations
with the other churches (Roman Catholic, Orthodox, etc.) as the Pope and
others have already stated.
10.
The
majority view is not always the correct one. Let us remember that it was the
majority who shouted "crucify, crucify". Important matters relating
to faith, scripture, tradition, and 2000 years of Church practice and wisdom,
cannot be changed in this way.
11.
The
agitation for the ordination of women is only a symptom of a much greater
malaise within the Church: feminist theology, which wants to introduce a
female concept into the Godhead, to reduce "Father, Son and Holy
Spirit" to "Parent, Child and Holy Spirit", to change
"Our Father…" to "Our Mother" or "Our Parent",
and to portray a woman on the cross (as happened in New York's Cathedral). All
this is doctrinally wrong, contrary to scripture, and a wicked blasphemy. The
agitation is also partly due to the current social trend towards equal job
opportunities for men and women; but this is totally irrelevant to the Christian Ministry, which is not just another profession. Furthermore, no
one has a right to ordination.
12.
The
Church of England should take warning from the results of women being
'ordained' in Anglican or Anglican linked churches overseas. In the USA,
Canada, New Zealand, and Sweden, for instance, the results have been
disastrous: instead of the fruit of the spirit - love, joy, peace, and faith
- works of the flesh and evil are manifest, such as feminist theology,
enmity, strife, divorce, abortion, rapid decline in congregations and schisms.
13.
Many
will leave the C. of E., but probably most will knuckle under and stay -
which is what the C. of E. bishops are banking on. It is true, of course,
that the majority of Anglo-Catholics, middle-of-the-road Churchmen, and Evangelicals,
who object to the 'ordination' of women, have no wish to leave the C. of E.,
but it is appalling that they should be put in this invidious situation, and
those who stay made to accept something wrong.
14.
Since
early 1987, the C. of E. bishops have been 'ordaining' women 'deacons' as a
sop to the Feminist Lobby. Although invalid, the action of the bishops only
feeds the appetite and leads to the 'ordination' of women 'priests' - for
which the way is already being paved. Later, of course, the call will be for
women 'bishops', as has already taken place in the USA. (Note: 'deacon' must not be confused with
"Deaconess" - the latter being a distinct non-ordained lay ministry
for women).
MEMBERS
OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND MUST SAY "NO" TO THE ORDINATION OF WOMEN
PRIESTS NOW. "STOP" FURTHER ORDINATION OF WOMEN DEACONS, AND
"ANNUL" THOSE FEMALE DEACONSHIPS ALREADY CREATED.
WHAT
CAN BE DONE? Write to your Bishop, parish priest, and the press, stating your
objections. Raise objections at your PCC and Synod meetings. Avoid contact
with and the recognition of women 'deacons' or 'priests', and make it clear
that you will not stay at any service in which they take part. Distribute
copies of this leaflet. Join a Church Society, such as Ecclesia (write to us
for the address), which hopes to stop women's 'ordination' and, should the
worst happen, seeks to form a Continuing Church of England. Also, perhaps, join the CFW - Concern for Family and
Womanhood (Campaign for the Feminine Woman), a Christian based organisation
which, among other things, tries to counter the harmful feminist influence in
all aspects of life.
Published
by CFW, Springfield House, Chedworth,
Cheltenham, GL54 4AH, England. Tel
+44 (0)1285 720 454, following consultation with various religious bodies.
Copies of this and other CFW leaflets free on request. Copyright 1988-2007.
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