I am writing to express my appreciation to John Pasqualotto for presenting to us the case for the ordination of women for ministry in all branches of the Christian Church across the world (Letter to the editor Trail Times Nov. 2).
He has dealt only with women of note in the Roman Catholic Church but he would agree, I am sure, that there are many women of other denominations who have been proficient in of the teaching and pastoral ministry, and who deserve to be allowed to take the next step to sacramental ministry.
In the past half century women have experienced a blockage as they rise to the highest level of responsibility in business and industry.
We call it the glass ceiling.
That it should also be in the Church is regrettable.
The Church should set an example for both freedom and opportunity.
Mr. Pasqualotto would not agree that Catherine of Sienna and others like her should be prevented from aspiring to ordination as deacon or priest, and indeed as bishop.
Whether, of course, they would wish to be ordained is something each must decide for themselves.
But that they should be prevented? Surely not.
None of our Anglican women who are ordained were prevented from deciding after they had been selected as candidates for ordination whether they wished to be ordained.
I have but one regret regarding Mr. Pasqualotto’s letter and that is that he has suggested that Ms. McEwan is not in a close relationship with Christ.
Considering that he has supported her primary contention that women are quite capable of being priests, I think this is, to say the very least, quite unkind of him.
And so I do congratulate Ms. McEwan for bringing this subject to us and allowing us to appreciate the true role of women in the Holy Church of God.
Rev. Garwood G. Russell
Fruitvale