Title: Holy Orders: A Special Priesthood - About Catholics
Headings: Holy Orders: A Special Priesthood
Holy Orders: A Special Priesthood
Why is the sacrament called “orders?”
Who can be ordained? Why aren’t there female priests?
What are the effects of this sacrament?
Who can confer Holy Orders?
What are the form and matter of this sacrament?
What are the “degrees” of Holy Orders?
Who are the two participants in the one priesthood of Christ?

Content: Who can be ordained? Why aren’t there female priests? At this time, only baptized men can receive this sacrament. The Vatican has determined that the Church has no right to ordain women because Jesus did not
appoint females to the position of apostles. This is considered part of the deposit of faith that has been handed on and that no one can change. Another
argument against female ordination is that since Jesus was male, he is best represented by males. Both of these arguments against women priests are highly
contentious. The Church maintains the position that: “Only a baptized man validly receives sacred ordination. The Lord Jesus chose men to form the college of the twelve apostles, and the apostles did the same when they chose collaborators to succeed them in their ministry.