And Another Thing | 29 March 2008

It would not surprise me if the present Pope, who is a man of strongly conservative instincts but also highly intelligent, energetic and forceful, abruptly decided to introduce women into the Catholic priesthood, and set about this fundamental reform with all deliberate speed. He would be right to do so, for it is urgent and overdue. The shortage of priests, especially in Europe, is now chronic and increasingly damaging. It is shocking to learn that in Catholic Ireland, which from the early Dark Ages until quite recently sent young, enthusiastic and well-educated priests, as pastors and missionaries, all over the world, only nine men were ordained as priests last year. This is only a fraction of the replacement rate. The Irish figures are typical for Europe.

The gaps have to be filled by immigrant priests from Africa, Asia and Latin America, who do their job, on the whole, with endearing distinction. But it is altogether wrong that these distant communities, who have severe problems of their own, often much more serious than Europe’s, should have to send their able and eager young pastors over here merely because young male Catholics in Europe are too selfish and spoiled and materialistic to serve the Church. It is a scandal, made worse by the fact that there are thousands of devoted and industrious Catholic women, serving as nuns or in secular life, who are ready to devote their life to the priesthood if only they were given the chance.

I have never seen the slightest justification for the Catholic Church’s rejection of women priests. Sacerdotal celibacy I can understand, and I think the arguments for maintaining it are powerful and conclusive. But the rule that half the human race are ineligible for the priesthood merely because of their gender is wrong in theory and practice, obstinately obscurantist and blind, cruel and self-destructive, and certain to be overthrown in time.