In Jesuit-owned and operated America magazine, an editorial laments the loss of altar girls at the Phoenix cathedral, wondering aloud if seeing the priesthood as an all-male clerical caste is really a good thing for the Church.
The Society of Jesus is an all-male clerical society. Unlike the older orders which have female branches, women may not join St. Ignatius Loyola's club. And men who join and are not destined for Holy Orders, the lay brothers, are never in line for any positions of authority. That is restricted to priests, a minority of whom are invited to take a fourth vow which then allows them to become important superiors.
Now what was that again about an all-male clerical caste?
The Society of Jesus is an all-male clerical society. Unlike the older orders which have female branches, women may not join St. Ignatius Loyola's club. And men who join and are not destined for Holy Orders, the lay brothers, are never in line for any positions of authority. That is restricted to priests, a minority of whom are invited to take a fourth vow which then allows them to become important superiors.
Now what was that again about an all-male clerical caste?
2 comments:
totally unrelated, did you ever replace your car?
Nope. I have small carbon footprint now. :)
Post a Comment