Madam, - If Colm Holmes (August 15th) wishes to make the case for ordaining women in the Roman Catholic church it is better that he makes his arguments based on truth. There are many good reasons to support the ordination of women but none of them are as outlined in his letter.
1. The Pontifical Biblical Commission did not conclude that "Scripture and tradition provide no reason for excluding women from priesthood". It merely said that "it does not seem that the New Testament by itself alone will permit us to settle in a clear way and once and for all the problem of the possible accession of women to the presbyterate".
2. To presume that the presence of women at the Last Supper was a valid argument for women's ordination one would need to be sure they actually were present. The post-modern interpretation of the Last Supper as being a full Jewish Passover celebration is not supported by any serious theological evidence.
The pre-Gospel recognition of Jesus as the paschal lamb, whose body and blood were "poured out for many", has given rise to this theologoumenon (a theological insight narrated as a historical event), but it should not be extrapolated to presume the presence of extended family as is common in the Passover Seder.
3. The statement that "for decades there have been Roman Catholic women priests here in Ireland, carrying out their ministries quietly and often secretly" cannot be true as Canon 1024 of the Code of Canon Law expressly limits ordination to baptised males.
The really worrying aspect of Mr Holmes's letter is the underlying suggestion that the role of the laity is somehow inferior to that of the ordained ministry. It is this attitude which has caused great division in the Church and will continue to do so unless and until the laity reclaim their role. Opening the ranks of ordained ministry to women and married people would be likely to maintain this division and perpetuate the curse of clericalism.
The Spirit is moving to rouse the laity - just look at the scale of ministry in Ireland today. This is being brought about largely because of a shortage of ordained ministers.
I have no doubt that opening the gates of ordination to women and married people would greatly increase the number of priests and set back the liberation of the laity by at least 40 years as our "help" would no longer be needed.
Let us imagine something a little more daring. Be not afraid! - Yours, etc,
DOMHNALL O'NEILL, Bray, Co Wicklow.