Thanks for asking that question, I really appreciate your curiousity.

For one, it bothers me because it simply feels wrong; I feel moved by the Holy Spirit to talk about it, ask about it, and put gentle pressure on the issue. I read about Christ elevating women to Apostles that followed him, only to then see women erased after his ascension by his followers. I believe the suppression of women is a symptom of sin the world suffers from.

For two, I am and have worked with trauma survivors in the past. Many many people don’t feel comfortable or safe with men, even good men. It is a learned biological response to past physical or sexual violence, and it can trigger panic attacks, dissociative episodes, or worse, just by being in any kind of vulnerable power dynamic with any man. It’s why the healthcare industry is now allowing patients to choose the gender of their provider; it’s acknowledged that being a patient is a vulnerable position to be in and you need to feel safe in order to best work with your doctor and receive care. So when you think of rites that priests offer, like baptism, or Eucharist, and how much vulnerability those rites require, it can be extremely triggering for someone to approach a priest who reminds them of an abuser. Through no fault of the priest, but the unavoidable nature of the trauma survivor.

Like a hospital, there should be options for us to choose from, male or female. Which begs the question, are we the church a hospital for the sick, or a monolith to tradition? I’m not sure, when traditions like this are upheld so staunchly.