This second episode lays the foundation of this study. It first contextualizes our inquiry as a continuation of the 2000-year long Catholic intellectual tradition. Next, it explores the theology of the incarnation as a basis for understanding vocation and its importance. Lastly, it considers how we should frame the discernment question we are asking God to answer and why the question itself matters. By the end of this episode, we will have a shared understanding of vocation and a clear question to bring before God for guidance.

CHAPTERS
[00:00]  Welcome
[02:48]  Episode overview 
[04:06]  Catholic intellectual tradition
[10:40]  Opening prayer
[12:04]  Theology of the incarnation 
[16:03]  Understanding vocation
[22:45] Determining the question
[28:07] Conclusion

RESOURCES 
Catholic intellectual tradition 

• Council of Jerusalem: Acts 15: 1-20 (Lucan narrative); Galatians 2:1-10 (Pauline narrative)
• Biblical commentary: Sacra Pagina: The Acts of the Apostles; Anchor Bible: The Acts of the Apostles
• Catholic Intellectual Tradition: A Conversation at Boston College 
• As Leaven in the World: Catholic Perspectives on Faith, Vocation, and the Intellectual Life, Thomas M. Landy (editor)
• Fides et Ratio, Pope John Paul II
• Reason Informed by Faith, Richard Gula

Incarnation and Vocation 

• John 1: 1-16; John 15:16; Colossians 1:15; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
• Foundations of Christian Faith by Karl Rahner, SJ
• Catechism of the Catholic Church 
• Dei Verbum, Chapter 1, Second Vatican Council 
• Gaudium et Spes, Part 1 (#11-45), Second Vatican Council
• Decree on the Training of Priests, (#1-3) Second Vatican Council 

RESEARCH DATA
Below are findings from reputable studies measuring Catholic support for ordination justice. Much more research needs to be done in Africa, India, Indonesia, and Eastern Europe. 

• 2024 Pew Research Study | Support for ordaining women as priests: Brazil (83%), Argentina (71%), Chile (69%), Peru (65%), U.S. (64%), Colombia (56%).
  
  
• 2019 Pew Research Study | Support for ordaining women as priests: Uruguay (73%), Puerto Rico (61%), Bolivia (51%), Costa Rica (51%), Dominican Republic (51%)
  
  
• 2014 Univision Poll | Support for ordaining women as priests: France (83%), Spain (78%), Italy (59%)

LACK OF UNITY WITHIN THE COLLEGE OF BISHOPS
There is documented disagreement within the Church over whether women should be ordained as priests. The question surfaced during both the 2023 and 2024 October assemblies of the Synod on Synodality and appears in Synod reports from local Churches and the universal Church. It is impossible to know how many vowed religious and ordained ministers support the ordination of women as priests because many are not free to speak openly without risking discipline. The examples below provide a glimpse of this disagreement within Church leadership.  

• March 2023: Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxemborg says it is possible to revisit the teaching of John Paul II on women's ordination and Bishop Franz-Josef Bode of Germany supports the ordination of women to priesthood. 
• October 2022: The Vatican released Enlarge the Space of Your Tent as part of the global Synod on Synodality. Paragraph 64 names the ordination of women to priesthood as a topic of divergence.
• April 2022: Hong Kong Bishop Stephen Chow commented on his hope for the ordination of women.
• June 2021: Irish Bishop Gerard Nash called for women priests, then later withdrew his comments.
• October 2018: Australian Bishop Vincent Long Van Nguyen indicates support for the ordination of women as priests as part of a broader platform of reform.