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talkpoliticsEvents in Rome have stirred up a considerable amount of dander elsewhere on our shrinking planet. After cracking down on religious Catholic women to the extent of banning a book, Cardinal Lavada has moved to greener pastures. His replacement as head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is a conservative German theologian by the name of Gerhard Müller. Some on the Right have questioned his credentials because he had collaborated on a work with Gustavo Gutiérrez, a Peruvian advocate of Liberation Theology. The installation of a new chief inquisitor prompted me to read what the man has to say.
Having grown up beyond the pale of the Jesus cult, but having grown up in the midst of cult members, the turmoil within their camp fascinates me. Müller opposes Sacramental Matrimony for anyone but a man and a woman. This should suit the gay community just fine becuse that community does not seek Sacramental Matrimony. What homosexuals desire is something far more meaningful. Where the conflict arises is in the misperception on the part of Catholic voters that a higher form of marriage inclusive of people of the same gender should not be permitted simply because Rome advocates the lesser institution of Sacramental Matrimony.
Müller also opposes the ordination of women to the Roman Order. He points to a number of reasons for his position including the fact that Jesus was a guy. The reason that most fascinates me is that Rome lacks the authority to ordain women to its "Holy Order." This implies that Lutherans and Anglicans have powers that Rome lacks. I'll toast to that!
In his treatise on why Rome also lacks the authority to ordain women to the diaconate, Müller makes the astute observation that today's deacons are not the same as the deacons mentioned in the literature of the Early Church. That literature mentions the existence of female deacons. Müller makes some allusion to differences in offices of priests and bishops, but does not pursue those differences to their obvious conclusion. Müller's treatise confirms the fact that Jesus did not institute the Church that professes to represent him. The Apostles were responsible for establishing followings of their own that eventually morphed into the Roman Church after generations of power struggles and internecine strife.
As for the "Jesus was a guy" argument, Gerd Lüdemann's thesis that Paul founded the Church would lead to a "Paul was a guy" rationale. Constantine made his mark upon the Medieval Church by presiding over the Nicene Council. One could also make a "Constantine was a guy" contention for the impotence of Rome to ordain women. Since Thomas Aquinas introduced the magic of transubstantiation, one could also say that "Aquinas was a guy" is yet another reason for Roman impotence.
Women have been ordained by members of the Roman hierarchy, so not all Romans lack the power to ordain women. Conservative Catholics might turn their noses up at a communion service conducted by a woman, but they are a dying breed. Younger Catholics lack the bigotry required to foster such disgust.
Some may argue that Roman policy is a purely private matter for Romans. Were it not for tendencies such as Catholic support for defrauding homosexuals and women of rights and dignity in the public sphere, I would agree. Do you see a silver lining in the dark cloud of Gerhard Müller's theology?
Links: Gerhard Müller's treatise on gender issues. Praise for the appointment from a blogger. Another blogger's concern over Müller's support for Liberation Theology. Gerd Lüdemann's work on Paul's role in the establishment of the Church. Gustavo Gutiérrez's work on Liberation Theology.
Having grown up beyond the pale of the Jesus cult, but having grown up in the midst of cult members, the turmoil within their camp fascinates me. Müller opposes Sacramental Matrimony for anyone but a man and a woman. This should suit the gay community just fine becuse that community does not seek Sacramental Matrimony. What homosexuals desire is something far more meaningful. Where the conflict arises is in the misperception on the part of Catholic voters that a higher form of marriage inclusive of people of the same gender should not be permitted simply because Rome advocates the lesser institution of Sacramental Matrimony.
Müller also opposes the ordination of women to the Roman Order. He points to a number of reasons for his position including the fact that Jesus was a guy. The reason that most fascinates me is that Rome lacks the authority to ordain women to its "Holy Order." This implies that Lutherans and Anglicans have powers that Rome lacks. I'll toast to that!
In his treatise on why Rome also lacks the authority to ordain women to the diaconate, Müller makes the astute observation that today's deacons are not the same as the deacons mentioned in the literature of the Early Church. That literature mentions the existence of female deacons. Müller makes some allusion to differences in offices of priests and bishops, but does not pursue those differences to their obvious conclusion. Müller's treatise confirms the fact that Jesus did not institute the Church that professes to represent him. The Apostles were responsible for establishing followings of their own that eventually morphed into the Roman Church after generations of power struggles and internecine strife.
As for the "Jesus was a guy" argument, Gerd Lüdemann's thesis that Paul founded the Church would lead to a "Paul was a guy" rationale. Constantine made his mark upon the Medieval Church by presiding over the Nicene Council. One could also make a "Constantine was a guy" contention for the impotence of Rome to ordain women. Since Thomas Aquinas introduced the magic of transubstantiation, one could also say that "Aquinas was a guy" is yet another reason for Roman impotence.
Women have been ordained by members of the Roman hierarchy, so not all Romans lack the power to ordain women. Conservative Catholics might turn their noses up at a communion service conducted by a woman, but they are a dying breed. Younger Catholics lack the bigotry required to foster such disgust.
Some may argue that Roman policy is a purely private matter for Romans. Were it not for tendencies such as Catholic support for defrauding homosexuals and women of rights and dignity in the public sphere, I would agree. Do you see a silver lining in the dark cloud of Gerhard Müller's theology?
Links: Gerhard Müller's treatise on gender issues. Praise for the appointment from a blogger. Another blogger's concern over Müller's support for Liberation Theology. Gerd Lüdemann's work on Paul's role in the establishment of the Church. Gustavo Gutiérrez's work on Liberation Theology.
