Yesterday at Saint Louis University students joined Aquinas Institute theologian and Dominican Carla Mae Streeter, Th.D., to discuss the ordination of women.

Invited by the SLU Campus Ministry Women’s Group, Streeter used her academic freedom to present her knowledge and interpretation of the history of the Catholic Church.

Streeter explained the concept “hierarchy” in the Catholic Church and discussed how the term has “hardened” from meaning “order” to today’s meaning of “unilateral.” According to Streeter, this “petrifaction” occurred in the Middle Ages. Constantine moved the Church from Rome to Constantinople, and as a result, its infrastructure collapsed.

Religious officials in Rome and in other European cities began to take complete power to keep their cities from caving in, and after they got on their feet, they did not let go.

“The holiness of their positions was lost. Europeans began immigrating to America because the Church was the state, and in America, it was just the opposite,” Streeter said.

Today, the hierarchy still exists in what Streeter calls a “feminine Church.” Because it is conceptualized as feminine, it can only hold relationship with ordained men.

However, one female student wants to change this. Graduate student Sarah Sparks spoke on her calling to be a priest in the Catholic Church.

“I have been accused of having a psychological disorder because of my calling, but I know this is what I must do. I’m glad to see other people can understand that,” Sparks said.

Today, the Catholic Church in Rome maintains Canon Law: “Only a baptized man validly receives sacred ordination. The Lord Jesus chose men to form the college of the Twelve Apostles, and the Apostles did the same when they chose collaborators to succeed them in their ministry. The College of Bishops, with whom the priests are united in the priesthood, makes the College of the Twelve an ever-present and ever-active reality until Christ’s return. The Church recognizes herself to be bound by this choice made by the Lord himself. For this reason the ordination of women is not possible.”

However, theologians such as Streeter argue that Jesus’ 12 apostles were not ordained but were merely the new leaders for the 12 tribes of the restored Israel. This was a prophetic symbol and not a declaration of the priesthood. In an epistle to the Romans, Junia is referred to as an “apostle.” In early Christianity, there was no priesthood as labeled today. Christian worship evolved from Jewish table fellowship and was held in house churches, including the homes of women. Worship was prophetic and charismatic in style, allowing both women and men to take leadership roles, said Streeter.

The campus ministry hosts Women’s Group every Wednesday at 7 p.m., led by Jeanine DeClue, O.P. She aims to rediscover women leaders in the Catholic Church, she said.