Madam, - After reading Archbishop Brady's article of August 9th, I took his advice and read Cardinal Ratzinger's letter on the "Collaboration of Men and Women in the Church". May I suggest, with respect, that Archbishop Brady himself should go back and read the document again slowly and with an open mind? Though it is flawed and incomplete, it does offer some pointers out of the impasse.
Again with respect, Dr Brady manages to write about the question without once addressing the central issue: the role of women in the Church. To go, perhaps crudely, to the nub: Why, at the next conclave for the election of a Pope, will no woman be permitted to be present and vote - let alone be a candidate?
Cardinal Ratzinger actually acknowledges that there is a problem with "power" in the institutional Church - though he skips around it and attacks the motivation of those who raise the issue. However, he goes on to underline the substantial positive contribution which women make to institutions and society - and even implies that the influential presence of women is necessary for balance.
Why do these parts of Cardinal Ratzinger's arguments not apply to the institutional Church? Leaving aside (momentarily) the debate about ordaining women, why does the Church not make better use of its women even for practical management reasons?
What is the logical reason for excluding women from the conclave? Because the Holy Spirit does not trust them to behave themselves properly? Cardinal Ratzinger actually emphasises the equality of women and men in the sight of God in the Garden of Eden - and blames the subsequent societal subjugation of women on Original Sin. (He does not blame the Fall on Eve.) Given the promotion of women in the New Testament, and the frequent repetition of the assertion that all the children of God are equal in His sight, was Jesus therefore asking us to restore women to their proper place?
Before the conclave takes place, should not somebody somewhere in the Vatican (let alone Armagh and Maynooth), realise that the exclusion of women is not just illogical and inefficient. It may even be against the wishes of God. - Yours etc.,
MAURICE O'CONNELL, Tralee, Co Kerry.