The Ordination of Women Priests1. Draw this line in your books. Mark with

a cross where your opinion about women priests lies.

2. What are your main reasons for thinking this? Write 2 down.

I strongly agree that there should be women priests in the Catholic Church

I strongly disagree that there should be women priests in the Catholic Church

To give arguments for and against women priests (A*-C)

To evaluate the importance of these arguments (A*-B)

Can women be ordained to the priesthood?

• There are women priests in other Christian churches but this is a question to which the Catholic Church has always answered "No."

• The Church’s teaching on ordination is based on the New Testament as well as on Church teaching.

Find out what the reasons for and against women’s ordination are.

• Sort the arguments into two groups: for and against. • Put the strongest arguments at the top. • Write up the 3 strongest arguments for each side in

your books. **Which side do you agree with more? Explain how you could disagree with the strongest reason against your own opinion.

EVALUATE: Should there be women priests in the Catholic Church? 1. State your view. Explain the main reason for your

view and its importance . “I think that one of the strongest reasons why there should/ should not be women priests in the Catholic Church is ..This is important because…”

2. Explain what you think could be the main reason against your view. Explain its importance. “However, some people say…This is important because…”

3. Give your response to the main reason against your own view. Then re-state your final opinion. “I do not think the reason above means there should/ should not be women priests because… So my final opinion is that….because....”.

**Identify what Bible quotes some of the arguments are based on. Write these quotes out. Are bible quotes more important than other arguments? Why/ why not?

Jesus only chose men disciples, & only men at the Last Supper.

Tradition in the Church

Priest stands “in the place of Christ” , as the “bridegroom” of the Church – so he should be a man.

We “are all one in Christ Jesus”. Gal 3:28

we are all made “in God’s image” - anyone, can represent God at the altar.

Women’s role has changed to be more equal to men.

FOR women priests

AGAINST women priests

Which arguments did you select as being the main ones?

Put your name on your post-its in CAPITALS.

Stick your post-it on the line to show how much you agree/ disagree with women priests.

Choose a post it from the view you DISAGREE with. You have 1 minute to challenge that person on their view.Jesus only chose men

disciples, & only men at the Last Supper.

Tradition in the Church

We “are all one in Christ Jesus”. Gal 3:28

we are all made “in God’s image” - anyone, can represent God at the altar.

Women’s role has changed to be more equal to men.

FOR women priests

AGAINST women priests

Priest stands “in the place of Christ” , as the “bridegroom” of the Church – so he should be a man.

I strongly agree that there should be women priests in the Catholic Church

I strongly disagree that there should be women priests in the Catholic Church

Go back to the line you drew at the beginning. Where would you put your mark now? Tell your partner.

Have you changed your views at all?