No Priests? Fine. Women and Gays Can Celebrate Eucharist

The leaders of the Catholic Dominican order on Tuesday censured Dutch members who said unordained ministers, including gays and women, should be able celebrate the Eucharist if priests were not available, according to IOL.

A booklet sent to parishes in the Netherlands earlier this month sent shock waves through the Church by making a radical proposal to deal with the shortage of Roman Catholic priests. It said unordained ministers chosen by their priestless congregations should be allowed to celebrate the Eucharist.

The booklet said:

“Whether they are women or men, homo or hetero, married or single, makes no difference. What is important is an infectious attitude of faith.”

An infectious attitude of faith? There’s something infectious here, that’s for sure.

Underscoring its concern, the Vatican distributed a statement by the Rome headquarters of the Dominicans saying the solution by the Dutch Dominicans was not acceptable. “While we share their concern about the availability of the Eucharist and priestly ministry, we believe this concern must be responded to in careful theological and pastoral reflection…,” it said.

That’s the way-too-nice way of saying, “Are you out of your minds?”

The Dutch Dominicans’ booklet based its argument on the traditions of early Christianity when priests were able to marry. Does that means they’re also celebrating the Latin Mass? I doubt it.