Ordinatio sacerdotalis

In his Apostolic Letter "Ordinatio sacerdotalis" dated May 22^nd 1994, on "Reserving priestly ordination to men alone" Pope John Paul II confirmed the teachings applied since the beginnings of the Church, hence that "the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women" (Art. 4). "This important issue" concerns the "Church’s divine constitution". So the ecclesial custom to administer the Sacrament of the Holy Orders exclusively to male baptized believers is a divine right. It belongs to the essence of the Sacraments and remains definitely within the creative limits of ecclesial authority within the framework of positive ecclesial law.

The direct occasion for explaining this unanimous procedure and Magisterial tradition of the Church as the expression of teachings contained in the Revelation and its extraneousness to all historical requirements, sociological conditioning and above all to variable customs, was debated within the Anglican community as regards to the possibility of ordaining women to priesthood and the diaconate, leading to the consecration of women in the United States of America and in the Church of England". On this subject John Paul II quotes the epistolary exchange between Paul VI and the primate of the Anglican Church, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the statement made in 1076 by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith entitled "Inter Insigniores" and the statement from the ecclesial Magistery present in the "Mulieris dignatatem", dated August 15^th 1988.

Within the Catholic Church, the dogmatic possibility concerning the sacramental ordination of women to the diaconate, to priesthood and to the episcopate, therefore to priesthood as understood by the Second Vatican Council, has become a greatly debated subject in parishes and in the theological world.

Ecclesia de Eucharistia

The reasoning of Pope John Paul II in his Encyclical "Ecclesia de Eucharistia" is particularly important for the ordained office. The extraordinary role of the priest in fulfilling and celebrating the mystery of the Eucharist is once again emphasised.

Pope John Paul II’s Encyclical "Ecclesia de Eucharistia" states very clearly the link between the Eucharist and priesthood. The fundamental bond uniting the ordained office to the sacramental celebration of the transformation of the bread and the wine into the Flesh and Blood of Christ, as the complete fulfilment of the Eucharistic mystery is an indissoluble bond. If this awareness of the Eucharistic offering is once again at the centre of the Church, so are the young men who, with generosity and total self-denial, give themselves to the true and real centre of our faith. In the Eucharist Christ reconciles us with God. Priesthood came into being with the Eucharist through Jesus Christ. His realization in the act of Jesus Christ does not allow a separation between the Eucharist and the ordained office.

Pastores gregis

In his most recent paper, the Holy Father mentions the Episcopal office’s fundamental duties and theological tasks. The 21^st Century Bishop must be an example of Christian sanctity and also have spiritual authority. Because of his responsibilities, the Bishop is called upon to participate in governing the Church. The post-Synod Apostolic Exhortation "Pastores gregis" does not consider the Bishop as a profane moderator, who must hold together discordant positions, but rather as an authoritative teacher, the herald of the Word of God and Shepherd of the flock entrusted to him. He must criticize and correct eventual deviations from the Teachings. John Paul II in particular emphasises Episcopal duties as regards to people. His admonition concerning bureaucracy and his exhortation to lead a sacramental and spiritual life are both linked to this. The Episcopal college receives its theological depth in the communion between the Bishops, and that between the Bishops and the Pope. Hence the importance of the synods and the particular councils is confirmed as exclusively consulting bodies that result in a Papal decision.

During the 25 years of his pontificate, John Paul II has confronted all the Church’s important theological issues. Furthermore, he has always been committed to theological knowledge. His clear and decisive expressions as far as Teachings are concerned, have shown the Church the path towards a profound vision of the sacramental office.