Church should not exclude women

The silencing of Father Tony Flannery highlights one of the central self-imposed difficulties in the Catholic Church today; I refer to the way it has become identified with the exclusion of women from other than trivial or subservient roles in its ministry.

One is given the distinct impression that this prohibition is on the same footing as some of the central Christian beliefs.

Pope Benedict has recently intensified the official opposition to the ordination of women. Any voice raised against this injustice is seen as heretical and duly silenced. The emphasis on blind obedience to every command that comes from Rome weakens the Church rather than strengthens it.