(may be updated)
In our diocese, maybe others too, one teaching that has been misunderstood by some is that the priesthood being reserved to men (infallibly stated/taught) can and will change.
It seems that many priests shy away from this teaching. Is it because they don’t understand it? They don’t want to talk about it because some women will feel hurt? I don’t know. All I know is that only recently have I read about this and in reading about it, have a better understanding. And the teaching ain’t no opinion btw!
But whether or not we will hear the teaching, is another story.
Hurt feelings
The biggest mistake I made, and I think others make, it totally rejecting the teaching of the Church and framing it as an opinion. One thing that helped me in my understanding, which is limited still, is rephrasing the question to: I don’t understand the teaching, can you help me? This way, I remained open to being taught.
Some links I found helpful:
INTER INSIGNIORES
Declaration on the Admission of Women to the Ministerial Priesthood (15 October 1976)
Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
Mulieris Dignitatem (On the Role and Dignity of Women) John Paul II
The Male Priesthood: The Argument From Sacred Tradition by Mark Lowery Ph.d.
The All Male-Priesthood by Fr. William Saunders
Women Priest – No Chance by Joanne Bogle
Why can’t women be priests? By Jason Evert
Does the Catholic Church Really Hate Women? By Christopher Kaczor
Women and the priesthood by Monica Miller (book review)
The Authority of Women by Monica Miller
