There is a difference. Holy Tradition is the deposit of faith, the faith delivered once unto the saints, as St. Paul said. The Catholic Faith is non-negotiable.
While that is partly true, it must be remembered that Christ is the great High Priest, and the character of Holy Orders is and always has been male in nature because of this. This has been the teaching of the Apostles and Fathers of the Church from the beginning of Christianity. It is simply impossible to confer the sacrament of Holy Orders on women (a theological impossibility).
That said, there is historical precedent for deaconesses, separate from the Apostolic diaconate, to perform specific functions and ministries, though it has mostly fallen into disuse with the advent of women monastics/nuns. There are however some deaconesses in the Orthodox Church and among catholic Anglicans even today. Nevertheless, this order of deaconesses is separate from the Order of bishops, priests and deacons in Apostolic Succession.
The part about the "perfect man" as in only male is kinda bunk. For under christian theology the "perfect man" died for the sins of both male and female, not just male.
While that is partly true, it must be remembered that Christ is the great High Priest, and the character of Holy Orders is and always has been male in nature because of this. This has been the teaching of the Apostles and Fathers of the Church from the beginning of Christianity. It is simply impossible to confer the sacrament of Holy Orders on women (a theological impossibility).
That said, there is historical precedent for deaconesses, separate from the Apostolic diaconate, to perform specific functions and ministries, though it has mostly fallen into disuse with the advent of women monastics/nuns. There are however some deaconesses in the Orthodox Church and among catholic Anglicans even today. Nevertheless, this order of deaconesses is separate from the Order of bishops, priests and deacons in Apostolic Succession.
This message last edited by Handel on 28/10/2009 at 04:16:03 PM
Catholic Church reaccepting Anglicans allowing Anglicans to remain Anglicans in most things but name
- 25/10/2009 11:15:50 PM
1321 Views
Ratzinger has to try something to offset the liberals in Catholicism. Why not appeal to...
- 26/10/2009 02:17:36 AM
912 Views
As you noted in your post, it's nothing new. And it's not likely to lead to much.
- 26/10/2009 03:35:18 AM
937 Views
I don't know about that, some have already left the communion, and you may have a schism
- 26/10/2009 04:27:01 AM
855 Views
Wouldn't you say not believing in transubstantiation is an important theological difference?
- 26/10/2009 08:39:00 AM
841 Views
I was going to mention that...
- 26/10/2009 01:08:09 PM
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It should be noted
- 26/10/2009 05:02:23 PM
837 Views
Catholicism = no ordination of women?
- 26/10/2009 06:31:44 PM
865 Views
Re: Catholicism = no ordination of women?
- 26/10/2009 07:40:45 PM
968 Views
what about the congregations that have a woman priest?
- 27/10/2009 03:56:45 PM
1040 Views
Re: what about the congregations that have a woman priest?
- 27/10/2009 04:37:16 PM
884 Views
Calling women in the priesthood a Christological heresy is ridiculous, 
- 27/10/2009 10:31:02 PM
858 Views
- 27/10/2009 10:31:02 PM
858 Views
Re: Calling women in the priesthood a Christological heresy is ridiculous,
- 28/10/2009 01:26:24 AM
918 Views
- 28/10/2009 01:26:24 AM
918 Views
So in sum your response is tradition
- 28/10/2009 02:50:06 AM
889 Views
Not tradition, but Tradition (capital)
- 28/10/2009 04:15:40 PM
1150 Views
Yes the priest class of both the old testatment and new testatment has always been male
- 28/10/2009 10:22:28 PM
974 Views
Re: Yes the priest class of both the old testatment and new testatment has always been male
- 29/10/2009 09:02:36 PM
1106 Views