women concerns the group known as the Twelve, the men listed in the Bible as being the 12 apostles. The biblical accounts (Matthew 10: 1-4, Mark 3: 14-19, Luke 6: 13-16, and John 1:35-51 and 21: 1-2, as well as the book of Acts 1: 13) do not agree precisely on all the names of these dozen men, though at least seven names appear on all five lists; the principal figures, especially Simon Peter, his brother Andrew, Philip, brothers James and John, and Judas Iscariot figure in all five chronicles. That all are unquestionably male is considered to be of prime importance by traditionalists. The Church contends that all modern priests are the spiritual descendants of these 12 men.
The third argument against the ordination of women is based primarily on two passages in the Bible, both written by Paul. In I Corinthians 14: 34-35 he enjoins, "Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church." His words in I Timothy 2: 11-15 are even stronger:
Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.
The fourth point of contention lies in the definition of the priest's role. Traditionalists argue that the priest acts as a literal representation of Jesus and must therefore be a male. Especially in administering the sacrament of the Eucharist, the holy communion which recalls Christ's Last Supper (at which no women were present), the priest stands in for Jesus.
The final argument advanced by proponents...