The Ordination of Women in the Catholic Church: Unmasking a Cuckoo`s Egg Tradition,
John Wijngaards, Darton, Longman, Todd 2001 (0-232-52420-3), pp. vi + 204, Pb £10.95
Review by Isabel Wollaston in RRT (April 2002) pp. 184 – 186
This is a clearly written and beautifully produced book by the author of Did Christ Rule Out Women Priests? (MCCrimmons 1977, second edition 1986). The tone of the book is deeply personal, reflecting Wijngaards’ decision to resign from active priestly ministry in protest at the Catholic Church’s continuing refusal to ordain women or countenance any serious discussion of the possibility. He makes his own position clear from the outset: “I maintain that opposition to the ordination of women does not come from Christ. It is not God who decreed the exclusion of women, but pagan sexist bigotry which squashed the true Christian tradition of women’s call to ministry” (p. 6). He concludes in similar forthright vein by asserting that ‘the ban against women priests inflicts serious damage on the Catholic community. It wounds all women in their dignity as daughters of God and members of Christ. It spurns God’s call in women who have a vocation to the priestly ministry and deprives the Church of their valuable gifts’ (p.182).
As well as being an analysis of the scriptural arguments employed to argue for and against women’s ordination, Wijngaards’ book is a powerful account of one priest’s journey, wrestling both with his conscience and his church over this question. He confesses that until three years ago, he preferred to adopt ‘a strategy of wait-and-see’, believing ‘that wisdom would slowly prevail in the Church and that the issue of women priests would ripen in the course of time’ (p.17).
However, in the light of ‘the extreme, suppressive measures emanating from Rome under John Paul II’ (p. 26), reflecting a determination ‘to root out any support for women’s ordination in the Catholic Church’ (p.177), and which found full expression in the publication of Ordinatio Sacerdotalis (22 May 1994), Wijngaards became convinced that there was little hope of change. He therefore concluded that his previous approach was no longer tenable, hence his resignation from active priestly ministry.
This autobiographical element provides the context for the author’s discussion of arguments from Scripture and tradition used to justify the exclusion of women from ordination to the priesthood. The bulk of the book is devoted to outlining, then rebutting these arguments. Wijngaards argues that ‘in order to be valid, tradition must be scriptural’. Having considered the arguments against ordination that appeal to scripture, he concludes ‘the presumed “tradition” banning women from ordination has been proved to be a fake, for its scriptural basis is inadequate’ (p.122). Rather, ‘Jesus’ full embrace of women in an equal baptism demands openness to the ministerial priesthood for all’ (p.177). In the final part of the book he therefore outlines what he believes is the ‘genuine’ tradition of the Church, paying particular attention to the role of women as deacons (Chapters 17-18) and the belief that Mary is ‘a model priest (Chapter 19).
I am not sure that this book will change anyone’s mind: these arguments have, after all, been rehearsed many times over the years. Nevertheless, it serves a valuable purpose in outlining the issues clearly and passionately. The book will be ideal for use in the classroom or as a resource for church groups, and any others who wish to explore and discuss the issues surrounding the question of women’s ordination.
The Ordination of Women in the Catholic Church is unusual in that it has been specifically designed to be used in conjunction with the impressive Women Priests website (http: / /www.womenpriests.org), where many of the texts and articles referred to can be found. At the end of each chapter, Wijngaards provides a list of recommended readings, together with their precise web addresses. The detailed notes also include reference to a number of other relevant websites. It is a format that could be used more often by authors.
Isabel Wollaston
University of Birmingham
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