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Disappointing that Dermot Farrell still has such a fixed patriarchal view of women in regard to priesthood and that ‘certain pillars’ can’t be changed. He shows a lack of understanding of the movement in the early church that shut out the role of women that Jesus had opened up in his ministry. We need the ‘Syrophoenician woman’ who changed the mindset/ worldview of Jesus to work on Dermot and so many others who have such ‘fixed/ unchangeable’ perspectives.
Roy, I am at the moment reading “Women Remembered. Jesus’ Female Disciples” by Helen Bond and Joan Taylor, both Professors of Christian Origins. Helen lectures at New College here at Edinburgh University and she has previously spoken on this subject at our Edinburgh Newman Association.
This book confirms absolutely that, as you say: “He shows a lack of understanding of the movement in the early church that shut out the role of women that Jesus had opened up in his ministry.”
The section on Mary may prove difficult for some of our flock as the presence of her other children is taken for granted —indeed for all of us who pray our belief in the “ever-virgin” every time we attend Mass.
We have discussed this in the past on this site to no great conclusion.
The stonewalling of the hierarchy is becoming a joke. Seeing women priests in action (and seeing same-sex couples thrive) one is convinced beyond argument that the church attitude to women (as to LGBT folk) is baseless.