Assistant Editor
In the wake of Pope John Paul II's recent apostolic letter, "Ad Tuendam Fidem" ("To Defend the Faith"), limiting dissent in the Church, one local professor of religion believes that Catholics can continue to move forward in their faith and find fulfilling roles in ministry.
The new document filled a loophole in canon law about what Catholics must believe as a requirement of the faith, citing as one example the teaching on a male-only priesthood. The Pope stated that penalties can be imposed if Catholics continue to reject such teachings.
A commentary issued with the letter by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, headed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, caused more questions and discussion than the original letter with one sentence: "Whoever denies these truths...would therefore no longer be in communion with the Catholic Church."
Pastoral approach
However, Marcus Gigliotti, an adjunct professor of biblical studies at St. Bernard's Institute, the Diocese's graduate school of theology and ministry, explained that "the burden [of the Pope's statement and the commentary] is on the pastoral approach.
"People can be forgiven," he said, noting that while prostitution and fornication are also forbidden under canon law, people who engage in those practices are not automatically excommunicated. An entire process, beginning with a warning from the bishop and continuing if the person "persists in disobedience," must be invoked before an individual is actually excommunicated.
Discussion
Even though the letter and commentary seem to eliminate future discussion about women's ordination, Mr. Gigliotti believes that the documents themselves will need discussion.
There are three levels of beliefs Catholics must hold; an example of the highest would be the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Catholics who refuse to believe these doctrines of the Church are considered heretics.
The teaching on a male-only priesthood is presently on the second level, which also includes doctrines against euthanasia, prostitution and fornication. These truths are considered "definitive" and those who oppose them "opposed to the doctrine of the Catholic Church."
Ministries
Since the Pope and doctrinal congregation have not eliminated the possibility that the teaching on a male-only priesthood may someday be moved to the first level, Mr. Gigliotti explained that theologians would have to discuss that before the change is made.
He also said that while he thinks some women will be disappointed by the finality of the Pope's statement, "there are a variety of ministries in the Church. It doesn't mean a ministerial priest is holier than the rest of them."
The fact that women cannot be priests has not caused all of them to desert the Church yet, he said, noting: "They say, `Well, I'm still a Catholic.' Their faith is not totally shattered by the fact that they can't be a priest."
The diaconate may someday be an option for women, he added: "There's very good biblical and historical precedence for women as deacons. This [apostolic letter] has not, as far as I can see, closed that off."
Regardless of some people's disappointment over the letter, Mr. Gigliotti did not see it as a major blow to the Church. "Pastorally speaking," he said, "people will keep moving forward."