1. Ordination of Women 7 th October 2010

2. Ordination … Is the process of someone becoming a leader in the eyes of the church. Once ordained they can carry out Rites of Passage and religious festivals and ceremonies. Priests are seen as God’s vessel on Earth to pass on ‘the word of God’.

3. Women are ordained in protestant church Church of Scotland allowed women to become ministers in the 1968 Church of England allowed women to become ministers in 1994 Catholic Church still does not allow women to be priests.

4. Catholic’s arguments for no women Jesus was a man God is ‘he’ / ‘father’ / etc Jesus only had male disciples Jesus is representation of God on Earth If Priests are God’s vessel then how can they be women? The Bible states that woman should be subject to her husband.

5. More argument’s against Women have babies and would need to spend time looking after their children when they should be looking after their congregation. Women are more emotional than men and could not cope. Women would not have the same respect as men. Women should not be in charge of men. It’s easier for a man to advise a woman then a woman to advise a man.

6. Argument’s for ordination of Women Women were obviously very important to Jesus as he first appeared to Mary Magdalene In Jesus time Women were subordinate so he would not have been as respected / believed if he gave women more of a role and would therefore not have had the same status. Women have a different role today from the one they had back then. Women are better carers and have shown that they make good ministers.

7. More arguments for Women get a ‘calling’ too. Surely this means God wants them to be ministers. Jesus helped men and women equally therefore there is no difference in God’s eyes. Women had a high place in the early church before the priesthood was formed. Women were amongst the followers of Jesus. Women are now leaders in ways that they were not before.

8. Task 1: Write a paragraph explaining your thoughts on ordination using some of the arguments that we have looked at. Give detailed reasons for your answer.