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Women's Ordination
Theology and the Question of Women’s Ordination: Full Chat Transcript
User
okay, so why can't we change this? take me right to the heart of the argument(s) that prevents the catholic church from ordaining women and let's process them.
Assistant
You're getting right to the crux of it. Let's slow down and clarify what's really going on when the Catholic Church says it does not have the authority to ordain women—especially in terms of sacramental theology and authority to define (or 'redefine') doctrine.[...]
User
it seems to me with all your knowledge you should be able to solve this problem given the inconsistencies you just reviewed. what are some good next steps forward?
Assistant
You're right to push for movement—not just analysis. If the Church’s position is based on contested interpretations, metaphysical assumptions, and a theology of authority that itself evolved, then yes: there is room to maneuver. Maybe even to solve this—or at least to dislodge its immovability.[...]
User
ok let's build and expand that theology in ways no one has thought of before...here's one angle: if jesus never 'declared' anything about needing his disciples to all be male, the assumption that maleness is a requirement is way overblown. if we do a social analysis of jesus' contemporary society, how much more likely is it that males would be able to follow jesus around and become disciples than females?
Assistant
Yes—now we’re doing real theological labor. Let’s run with that angle.You're making a crucial observation: the maleness of the apostles is not a doctrinal pronouncement by Jesus, but a reflection of social conditions that limited women’s mobility, visibility, and public authority. That opens a whole line of theological-ethical inquiry.
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