Ordination is the term used to refer to someone being set apart to be a priest.
Arguments for male only ordination
Jesus鈥 twelve disciples were all men. Therefore it should be men who lead the Church.
Paul, writing in the New TestamentThe second part of the Christian Bible containing 27 books consisting of four types of literature: letters (epistles), gospels, history and prophecy. book of Corinthians, says that women should be silent in church. Therefore, the Bible points to only men speaking in, and leading, the Church.
The early Church was led by men and there is nothing that would suggest a change is needed.
Men and women can have equally important and valid roles in the Church, but they do not need to carry out the same roles. For example, women do not need to be priests because there are other roles to be fulfilled.
Arguments for male and female ordination
In Genesis 1:27 it says that men and women are made in the image of God, therefore, both are equal before God and should be ordained equally.
Paul wrote in the New Testament book of Galatians that there is 鈥渘either Jew nor gentileA person who is not Jewish., male nor female, you are all one in Christ鈥. If all are one in Christ then all should be eligible for ordination.
In Luke 8 we are told that women were disciples, and it was the women who stood by Jesus at the cross and were the first to witness the resurrectionThe rising of Christ from the dead, three days after the crucifixion.. This shows the importance of women in Christianity.
It is important to have women priests who can work closely with women in the Church, especially if dealing with a sensitive pastoral problem.
Women can access all other jobs and positions in society, why should it be any different with the Church?