Sir, - It is possible that in the not too distant future women priests will be accepted in the Catholic Church. If this should happen, a recent experience of mine suggests a possible means by which this decision might be implemented with minimum fuss.
was a member of the board of governors of a Catholic school in England. The headship became vacant, and one of the candidates for the post was a nun. When asked what made her think that she would be a suitable head for the school, she replied simply: "I have applied for this post under obedience."
I'm not sure whether a nun could ever be told to train for the priesthood under obedience, but if it could be done, what a rich source of recruitment for the priesthood would open up! It would also, hopefall, make irrelevant the displays of holy belligerency that have recently dismayed and convulsed Christians everywhere. Yours, etc.,
Turvey Woods.
Donabate,
Co Dublin.