Madam, - Caitriona McLean writes (November 12th): "The Catholic church has forfeited its position as spiritual guide to women by denying and suppressing the emerging sense of women as gifted people in their own right." However, many Catholic women are refusing to collude in the systemic denial and suppression of their God-given gifts, and many men support them.
Such women know that by their baptism they are as much members of the Church as the Pope and all the male cardinals, archbishops, bishops, priests and deacons - and as much made in the image and likeness of God, and filled with the same Holy Spirit. And they know they do not need permission from a male to respond to God's calling, including to fulfil Jesus's command: "Do this in memory of me." And so they act accordingly.
This, of course, threatens immensely what has become a clerical male monopoly of sacred power. This is where much change is happening: on the ground - even underground, unofficially.
According to the present sexist theology and rules it is neither valid nor legal. But it is real; and theology and rules change.
In other words, many Catholic women are letting God be their spiritual guide and rejoicing in their freedom. - Yours, etc.,
SOLINE VATINEL, Avoca Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin.