Women are already doing the work of ordained deacons in many places, so I don't see why such a reality can’t be acknowledged. I believe this is only a matter of power.

it is not admissible to ordain women to the priesthood, for very fundamental reasons. These reasons include: the example recorded in the Sacred Scriptures of Christ choosing his Apostles only from among men; the constant practice of the Church, which has imitated Christ in choosing only men; and her living teaching authority which has consistently held that the exclusion of women from the priesthood is in accordance with God's plan for his Church.

We will also discuss the role of women in the Church. Remember that the Church (la chiesa) is feminine.

Surely you’ll at least see the Temple? Respect all religions, is my motto, believe in none. Sensible principle. Still, you know, must say, after all, two thousand beautiful priestesses! All ready, willing, able—and I must say—dextrous!— to do their best to inspire male worshippers with love for their goddess, hah-hah!

Just as both female doctors and teachers in time have become a necessity from a psychological standpoint, so has the female rabbi.

If you cannot see that divinity includes male and female characteristics and at the same time transcends them, you have bad consequences. Rome and Cardinal O'Connor base the exclusion of women priests on the idea that God is the Father and Jesus is His Son, there were only male disciples, etc. They are defending a patriarchal Church with a patriarchal God. We must fight the patriarchal misunderstanding of God.

Q: The meeting of SEC’s Permanent Commission took place last February 23-24. One of the topics addressed was the implementation of Pope Francis’ Letter for the institution of the laity — men and women — as lectors and acolytes. What does this approval imply, which recognizes the co-responsibility of all the baptized in the Church and, in particular, for the mission of the laity and of women? A: I believe that the Holy Father’s decision makes more active the participation of all the laity in the celebration of the Liturgy. I believe that it’s a question of normalization of a very concrete situation, given that over the last years women have already exercised this role in Liturgical celebrations. In fact, in no. 103 of Querida Amazonia, "Pope Francis affirmed: “In a Synodal Church women, who in fact play a central role in Amazonian communities, should be able to access functions including ecclesial services that don’t require Holy Orders, enabling them to express better their own place. It should be remembered that these services imply stability, public recognition, and the sending by the Bishop."

The Church acknowledges the indispensable contribution which women make to society through the sensitivity, intuition and other distinctive skill sets which they, more than men, tend to possess. I think, for example, of the special concern which women show to others, which finds a particular, even if not exclusive, expression in motherhood. I readily acknowledge that many women share pastoral responsibilities with priests, helping to guide people, families and groups and offering new contributions to theological reflection. But we need to create still broader opportunities for a more incisive female presence in the Church. Because “the feminine genius is needed in all expressions in the life of society, the presence of women must also be guaranteed in the workplace” and in the various other settings where important decisions are made, both in the Church and in social structures.

I think that we need to be focused on realizing that religious leaders of major religious institutions of all religions around the world are the ones who expressed and signaled their readiness to accept a woman as a leader of their joint collaborative effort and commitment towards building peace.

Most priests are gay.

Let us not forget that the future includes more women in the ministry than we have ever known before.

I have always found poetry and beauty in the church attributing central stage to a female presence who works on our behalf. I am a devotee of the Virgin to whom I always dedicate part of my prayers.

Q: From your point of view, does having another woman on the court matter primarily in terms of the public’s perception, or also for what it feels like to be in conference and on the bench?

When you’re a priest, people tend to see the robe rather than the man.