Allen County -
"Can Women be Priests?" was the topic of tonight's discussion at Delphos St. John's Catholic School.
Friar Paul Schloemer was there to discuss the Catholic Church's position on this question, and the answer is not one that most women like to hear.
Friar Paul says the Church does not allow women to be priests for a variety of reasons, but perhaps the most compelling argument is that Jesus himself did not ordain women.
He also points out that all twelve disciples were men, and they too never placed women in a priesthood role.
Friar Paul says the church's decision in this matter is not meant to belittle women and that they're simply following the Scriptures.
He says in 1994, Pope John Paul II said the church has no authority to ordain women. That doctrine by the way is infallible, which means there's not even a possibility that it might change.
Friar Paul says even if people disagree with the church's decision, they should at least understand the reasoning behind it.
