Episode 3: Analyzing the Church’s Interpretation of the 12

PROJECT: ORDINATION JUSTICE is an audio course that investigates the topic of the ordination of women as priests in the Roman Catholic Church. This third episode analyzes the Church’s interpretation of the 12 apostles as the mandate for a male-only priesthood. Part One reviews basics in biblical interpretation; Part Two examines the Church’s interpretation of the 12; Part Three offers reflections on moving forward. By the conclusion, you will be able to determine for yourself whether you think the Church's interpretation of the 12 is valid.    

CHAPTERS

[01:25] Episode overview

[02:22]  Part One: Basics in Interpretation  

[19:37]  Opening prayer

[21:01]  Part Two: Analyzing the Church’s Interpretation

[21:11]  What makes a valid interpretation  

[25:33]  Evaluation of the Church’s interpretation

[34:14]  Weaknesses in Church method

[53:08] Summary of this analysis 

[54:35]  Part Three: Moving Forward

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RESOURCES 

CHURCH DOCUMENTS ON SCRIPTURE 

• Dei Verbum, Second Vatican Council, Nov. 18, 1965

• Providentissimus Deus, Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII, Nov. 18, 1893

• Divino Afflante Spiritu, Encyclical of Pope Pius XII, Sept. 30, 1943

• Verbum Domini, Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Benedict XVI, Sept. 30, 2010

• Interpretation of the Bible in the Church, Pontifical Biblical Commission, April 23, 1993

• The Inspiration and Truth of Sacred Scripture, Pontifical Biblical Commission, Feb. 22, 2014

• Catechism of the Catholic Church, published under Pope John Paul II, Oct. 11, 1992

CHURCH DOCUMENTS ON THE EXCLUSION OF WOMEN FROM PRIESTHOOD

• Inter Insigniores, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, October 15,  1976

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