The Church and Tradition

Posted on 08. Aug, 2013, in Celibacy/Sexuality, Church Teachings, Feminism/Women in the Church3 Comments

A piece from  our archive – July 19th 2012 – Fr. James Kullen discusses controversial issues in the church and female ordination.

Choosing the priesthood is perhaps no longer a traditional choice, but one that still attracts those who feel the call. Fr. James Kullen is a newly ordained priest and he talks with Miriam Gormally about some of the controversial issues within the Church and whether he thinks there will be changes in his service or not. Miriam began by asking him how he felt, as a new priest, about celibacy and women’s ordination.

3 responses to “The Church and Tradition”

  1. Suzanne Ryder says:

    I found this difficult to listen to this interview. Father James naturally needs to defend the status quo to which he has just committed himself. However, he does not take into account the scriptural stories of the many women, who were part of Jesus’ ministry. Indeed, it was Mary Magdalen, who was the first to see the risen Christ and who told Peter about what he had experienced. In the culture of his time, Jesus was all about liberating women. What is taken to be ordination, i.e. the Last Supper is an interpretation. Indeed, many question whether women were present or not, as a celebration of the Passover would normally have had both women and men present. Does Father James have any remorse in speaking of women being on the ground? I would advise him to go very gently about his parish duties.

    • Mary O'Connor RSM says:

      Well said, Suzanne.

      It is a pity to see such narrow preparation in the newly ordained, with all their freshness, fervour, and enthusiasm.

  2. miriam says:

    Thanks for you comment, Suzanne. I agree that some of the more traditional Church views can be difficult for us women in particular, to listen to. However they also have a right to express their beliefs and I tried to give it some balance by putting it up with Sr. Helen, who reflects a different view from within the Church.