The essential quality that marked the continuing future of the Orthodox Fathers was their loyalty to previous tradition, and appointment of the succeeding (successive) ruling male priests. As we have discussed, this idea of male divine leadership was used to maintain a unified doctrine. This powerful principle of MALE APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION still influences our present day theologies and commentaries that exclude women in leadership.

Church law book “Corpus Iuris Canonici” said, “A female person may not minister” If there’s no male present she may give responses from afar (can. 813). New Canon Laws from 1983 (906) state that only a man may oversee the “acolyte.” In 1980 Pope John Paul II re-ordered that “Women are not allowed the function of mass-server.”

CATHOLIC PRIESTS:

The recent Vatican declaration of 1976 concluded that women can’t be ordained as priests because, “There must be a physical resemblance between the priest and Christ. The possession of male genitalia becomes the essential prerequisite for representing Christ, who in his maleness is the disclosure in earthly culture of the male God. The celibacy of the priest, confirming the celibacy of Jesus, links both to a realm distant from that of nature, embodiment, and the reproduction of women.” This declaration later states that women are incapable of receiving the “indelible character” of male reproductive organs necessary to handle ministry.

Recent Canon Law forbade non-menopausal women from sweeping a priest's bedroom dusting his furniture. It said that the “biological fact of menstruation is the obstacle to women's participation in liturgical functions.”

Three main hindrances for Catholics not ordaining women:

1. Natural condition of inferiority of their gender because of the Fall.
2. The scriptural need for them to be kept in subjection.
3. Biological fact of menstruation (uncleanness).
4. Lack of external male genitalia.

PROTESTANT PRIESTS

The Protestants broke away from the idea of Apostolic Succession. They had some wonderful revelation about the faith of the individual believer. Significant to this topic is that they believed that we don’t need a “human” priest or mediator.” They claimed that every MAN is a priest. Luther said that “the man is the priest of the home.” (Believers are all priests.) Many still say that man is the “head of the house,” (which is a misuse of the word head). Statements like these are still said so frequently, that most of us don't stop to realize that these limiting ideas NEVER OCCUR IN SCRIPTURES.

Some Protestants continue to suppress women by using terms like “keys, ruling authority, and God's superiority of the order of creation.” They teach about their determination to preserve the truth of the patriarchal order. Present groups (you’ve probably heard them) herald their newly found slogan, “Man first but for the right reason!” As though being hypnotized, many blindly support this claim without substantiation. They say that man unconditionally carries the role of ruling, while the woman gets the beautiful task of supporting.

Some may wonder who could contend with “facts” like these. But…Truth would ask, “What saith the scripture?” Gal. 4:30. Many men today, even as much as women, are questioning the reasons for their own beliefs and want to “clean the windows” of the narrow-minded past and change the present atmosphere to more correct understandings.

James 2:9 says, “But if you show partiality you commit sin.”

THE GLASS CEILING IS STAINED:

Yes, my friend, many of those beautiful stained glass windows are “stained” (marked, blemished, tainted) with prejudice. Throughout the centuries, the idea of female subjection shape-shifted with chameleon-like certainty. It moved from one trend to the next – only partially disguised. But as we enter into this time of present truth, we will find that once we are born again, we are forgiven of all of the past. Now, our future freedoms are based upon that for which each person is accountable -- the actions and the following consequences following that which he/she personally initiates.

The “Stained Glass Ceiling” is certainly an issue that engenders a great deal of emotion. But, as with any issue, it is always interesting to see if anyone has factual evidence to support their deeply-held beliefs. Those who have endured any kind of glass ceiling should remember that glass can be shattered if one keeps striking it hard enough and long enough...
MY PART IN THE ANSWER – EVERTHING IS ABOUT TO SHATTER:

During my visit to Rome about ten years ago, I received a divine plan…

I stood in a very exquisite older hotel room ironing my clothes for dinner when the plan entered into my consciousness. “Okay, Lord! I’ll do it!” As soon as I said these words, the plug from the iron (plugged in a socket over my head in the old light fixture) came out. The plug and wire dropped down the side of my body sparking and sizzling all the way down. When the wire hit the floor, there was a huge explosion. The power went out in the hotel for hours.

Then, I knew that is was for this moment that I was born. It was a pivotal time. My certainty to accomplish the divine task was complete. No opposition could change my mind. “I WILL do it.” And I made the plan and packed a little bag.

I had met another lady minister on the trip and asked her to come with me to the Vatican – it was very crowded that day as we went to Saint Peter’s. We prayed that we would be hidden in God’s quiver and that no one would see us. The lady who accompanied me prayed from the pews. But, I had come to be the Celebrant Mass Server. I found the canopy where the pope and other priests stand to minister. No guards saw me. No one in the crowd of visitors stopped me… I slipped past the roped off area and climbed up the stairs. I stood behind the pulpit of the pope…