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The Church maintains male-only tradition as Jesus Christ’s 12 apostles were men, who then selected other men to continue their ministry
The Catholic Church’s catechism states that Jesus Christ chose 12 men as his apostles, who then selected other men to continue their ministry. Consequently, the Church maintains this male-only tradition. (Photo: AFP file)
The death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday has drawn significant attention to the Vatican’s processes, particularly the papal election. Following his death, Cardinals will meet in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new Pope, adhering to strict protocols that exclude women from candidacy.
The exclusion of women from becoming Pope is linked to the Church’s long-standing practice of limiting the priesthood to men, reinforced by Canon Law (Canon 1024), which specifies that only baptised men can be ordained. This teaching, rooted in the belief that Jesus chose only male apostles, has persisted in the Catholic Church for over two millennia.
According to Rev. Thomas Reese, director of the religion and public policy program at Georgetown University, a woman is barred from becoming pope because the position requires ordination, and women are not allowed to become priests.
Historically, the criteria for becoming pope are based on precedent rather than doctrine. Pope Callixtus III in 1455 was the last non-priest to be elected pope, and Urban VI in 1378 was the last non-cardinal priest to be chosen.
The Catholic Church’s catechism states that Jesus Christ chose 12 men as his apostles, who then selected other men to continue their ministry. Consequently, the Church maintains this male-only tradition.
Pope John Paul II reaffirmed this stance in 1994, and subsequent pontiffs, including Pope Francis in 2023, have upheld the male-only ordination rule. Theological teachings assert that Jesus’ actions set a precedent to be followed. No woman has ever been ordained as a priest in the Catholic Church.
In a 2023 publication, Pope Francis reiterated the Catholic Church’s traditional doctrine that women cannot receive holy orders or be ordained as priests. His comments were included in the Spanish-language book “El Pastor: Desafíos, razones y reflexiones sobre su pontificado,” which translates to “The Shepherd: Struggles, Reasons, and Thoughts on His Papacy.”. Pope Francis emphasised the significant role of women in the Church, stating, “The fact that the woman does not access ministerial life is not a deprivation because her place is much more important.”
Some myths, like the story of Pope Joan, suggest a woman once disguised herself as a man to become Pope, but historians widely dismiss these claims. Nonetheless, women have held key roles within the Church as nuns, theologians, and abbesses, though they are excluded from the priesthood.
- Location :
Vatican City, Vatican City
