Madam, - In his article entitled "Theological Liberalism and Christian Unity" (Rite and Reason, January 15th), Michael Kelly argues that the Anglican decision to ordain women has led to a paralysis in "meaningful dialogue between Anglicans and Catholic and Orthodox Christians". (I notice he does not mention other Protestant churches.)
Had the male ordained ministers of the Roman Catholic church engaged in meaningful dialogue with Martin Luther (as indeed some moderates wanted to do) we might have been spared centuries of religious wars and persecution and this contemporary dialogue, from which most of us are excluded anyway would not be necessary.
Far from paralysing dialogue, the ordination of Protestant women has been instrumental in promoting it at all kinds of levels. But this dialogue is at grassroots level and takes its inspiration from Jesus's command to love one another rather than from a need to dwell endlessly on points of doctrine which most of us neither understand nor lose sleep over.
I have seen Catholic men and women in large numbers attending the priesting of women ministers and joyfully communicating with them. I have listened to the preaching of these ministers, whose insight and experience touched mine.
I have been part of an ecumenical Bible study group started and hosted by a woman minister, where Christians have formed a loving community to share their common faith in Jesus Christ.
Yes, meaningful dialogue is indeed gathering momentum. May the Holy Spirit, the Lady and Giver of Life, encourage our learned brethren to stop constructing barriers to unity in their ivory towers and come down and join us at the coal face. - Yours, etc,
ELIZABETH RODDY,
Corcullen,
Galway.