Revisiting the Role of Women in the Church as the Extended Family of God

Abstract

The Catholic Church is the only Church that has no woman in the hierarchy. The Church maintains the culture-based position that Christ  did not ordained women priests. They ignore the fact that Christ had women apostles like Mary Magdalene whom the Church calls  “apostola apostolorum” (an apostle sent to the apostles.) The work wonders why is this seeming contradictory position upheld by the  Church? Why does the Church appear to be ignorant of the immeasurable contributions and roles of women in other churches and in the  modern society? This work seeks to highlight the need for the ordination of women into the catholic hierarchy, which is based on the  Imago Dei, the Image of God in women (Gen 1:26-27), and “oneness of all in Christ” (Gal 3:28). It uses qualitative research method that is  based on non-numerical data analyses, which allows us the use of Internet facilities, Library, and opinions and feelings of theologians. It  found out that the exclusion of women in the Church hierarchy is sexism. It rejects chauvinism; but recommends the ordination of  women based on numerous roles and contributions women make in the Church and the society.