Sir, - Betty Maher (June 28th) sees the ordination of women to the priesthood as the solution to the shortage of vocations. She says that the rule restricting the priesthood to men only is "man-made and could be changed".
However, the Pope in his apostolic letter Ordinatio Sacerdotalis (1994) states clearly: "I declare that the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgment is to be definitely held by all the Church's faithful". The Catholic Church sees this as "a choice made by Christ Himself".
In Scripture, Christ is seen as the bridegroom and his supreme priestly act was to sacrifice himself for the Church, his bride. This spousal love of Christ for his church is strongly expressed in Scripture. By his priestly ordination, the priest is configured to represent this in his role as priest.
The obligation of priestly celibacy is closely connected with this. The real solution to the shortage of vocations must be focused on the call of Christ Himself. - Yours, etc.,
Rev MICHAEL MANNING, The Presbytery, Millstreet, Co Cork.