Sir, - The Catholic Archbishop of Dublin stated in a letter on the feast of the Assumption that "women are and have been the good leaven in our society" (The Irish Times, August 16th). This prompts the question: Why, then, are the ordained ministries in the Roman Catholic Church still being deprived of this good leaven? Surely they would rise to new heights, spiritually speaking, if they included the other half of humanity made in God's image.
Rev Martin Clark, on behalf of the Irish Bishops' Conference (August 18th) invites submissions from people as contributions to the forthcoming European Synod of Bishops. One of the aims of the synod is "to indicate ways in which the immense spiritual reserves of the continent can fully develop in all areas". May I submit that welcoming women's vocations to the ordained ministries is an essential way? The bishops, with the Pope, hold the key: Will they have the courage to open the door to this "good leaven"?
As long as the only orders women can receive in the Church are orders telling them what to believe and what to do, all praise will be pious platitude, not the Good News of Jesus Christ. - Yours, etc.,
Soline Vatinel, Spokesperson, BASIC, Avoca Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin.