December 8, 1995

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

My dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

Recently the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith reiterated the constant teaching of the Catholic Church that it does not have the authority to ordain women to the priesthood.

In so doing the Church did not make a new statement. Rather, the Church was expressing anew her belief that in this matter, as in all others, she cannot go beyond the teaching and example of Christ.

From the time of the apostles to our present day, the Catholic Church has taught without exception that in reserving the priesthood to men she is following the example and intent of Jesus. He chose by name the men he would call to follow him as apostles and priests, even as he granted to women other roles of incomparable value and significance in the history of salvation.

This teaching was reaffirmed in 1994 by Pope John Paul II in an apostolic letter, "Ordinatio Sacerdotalis." This November the Doctrinal Congregation emphasized that the teaching is part of the "deposit of the faith" and must be held by Catholics sincerely and firmly. Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, approved the Sacred Congregation's affirmation.

As your pastor and shepherd, I invite your prayers that we in the Archdiocese of Atlanta accept and deepen our faithful assent to this teaching.

We find our common vision in Christ, whose life, reflected in Scripture, was a model of charity, compassion and respect toward all manner of people. His life was a parable spoken in part through his relationship with individuals: Mary his mother, Mary Magdalene, Peter the fisherman and Matthew the tax collector, Martha, Mary and Lazarus and countless others.

In his Incarnation Jesus revealed God's plan for salvation and love for humankind in rich detail. This is the truth of our faith. The Church, faithful to Scripture and the constant oral, lived Tradition handed on by the apostles, guards the deposit of the faith and seeks always to be the servant of what has been given her. The Church has no authority to do otherwise.

The reassertion of teaching on women and the priesthood presents again the Church's intention to pass on the deposit of the faith, as received from Christ and the apostles, to new generations in its fullness.

Please be assured that I pray for the faithfulness of all in this archdiocese and, in a special way, for those who may find this doctrine difficult to accept. I encourage Catholics to seek in prayer the help of the Holy Spirit who reveals the wisdom of God to the humble.

In a particular way, I invoke the intercession of Mary on this feast day, since she is the model of discipleship in the Church. No role has had greater dignity than that accorded Mary by God. May she help us to rejoice in the call of God in our lives and to approach each vocation, whether to ministerial priesthood or the priesthood of the laity, as, most importantly, a path to holiness and service.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend John F. Donoghue

Archbishop of Atlanta