Cardinal Sarah Rejects Female Ordination

In a conference titled "Joyful Servants of the Gospel" delivered at the Conciliar Seminary in Mexico City, Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect emeritus of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, emphasized the distinctive character of the priesthood and cautioned against attempts to introduce a female priesthood.

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Highlights

By Catholic Online (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
7/6/2023 (9 months ago)

Published in Living Faith

Keywords: Cardinal Sara, ordination, female, conference, Joyful Servants of the Gospel

Cardinal Sarah made it clear that no council, synod, or ecclesiastical authority has the authority to alter the divine gift of the priesthood and reduce its transcendent value to fit cultural or environmental considerations. He firmly stated that inventing a female priesthood would seriously undermine the priest's sacramental identity and the Church's renewed vision of mystery, communion, and mission.

The cardinal emphasized that the sacrament of Holy Orders, established by Christ, is universal and identical for the entire Catholic Church. He stressed that there is no distinction between African, German, Amazonian, or European priesthoods; the priesthood is a unique and uniform vocation for the universal Church.

Furthermore, Cardinal Sarah reflected on the profound nature of being a priest, describing it as a tremendous gift that should not be squandered. He highlighted the priest's role as an alter Christus, another Christ, who represents and conforms to Christ Himself through priestly ordination. The priest's primary duty is to pray, as they are men of prayer who continually glorify and adore God.

Cardinal Sarah acknowledged the issue of declining priestly vocations and urged the faithful to pray, emphasizing that the number of priests is not the determining factor. He cited the words of Pope Gregory the Great from the 7th century, stating that many individuals have embraced the priesthood without fully committing to their priestly responsibilities. Therefore, he called for increased prayer to implore God to send more dedicated workers to His harvest. Additionally, Cardinal Sarah encouraged priests to exhibit happiness and joy, even in the midst of suffering, as a means to attract new vocations.