21. Inadequacy of the Male?

An Argument Against Priestesses

"Male Priests can never be as nurturing as females."

There is a stereotype where some contrast the so-called gentle Mary with the judgmental Jesus. Priests have traditionally been urged to have strong devotions to Mary and to learn her more passive and/or feminine qualities. Ah, maybe God chooses men to confound worldly wisdom. If this is the case, then it would seem that women of the more militant variety would want nothing to do with priesthood as understood by the Church at all. Maybe it is something else they and even many men desire. The humility of priesthood means obedience, celibacy, and poverty (if not materially, at least spiritually in regards to Jesus as one's greatest treasure). Since supposedly male characteristics are usually already inculcated, the humility and prayer of Mary becomes a staple for the priest to develop the so-called feminine attributes of nurturing, caring, gentleness, receptivity, listening, etc. The problem develops that the wholehearted love which the Church desires is often not nurtured and even those who have accepted priesthood, may seek partial fulfillment elsewhere. More often than not, these men who have not discovered how to live out the active/passive, powerful/weak, and administrative/creative tension in priesthood, may cease to develop their shadow side-- and in consequence, more readily side with women who feel somehow slighted by not being priests. It is peculiar that those who most harp against stereotypes should then fall prey to them.

Is it not somewhat sexist to say that men in the priesthood are not as capable as women in their nurturing skills?