Women priests: Vatican veto on discussion

From A Special Correspondent
The new Papal Study Commission on women has been told in advance that It may not even discuss the possibility of women becoming priests, according to an internal Vatican memorandum published by a Catholic magazine.
When the Commission was announced on May 3, some reports said it would take up the question of women priests.
Vatican sources said the magazine's reporting, if not its interpretation. was accurate.
According to the reported memorandum: "Right from the beginning of research, the possibility of the Holy Ordination of women must be excluded."
The Vatican sources said the 25 members of the commission, 15 or whom arc women. accepted this condition.
When the Commission was announced, a statement said that women did not need more than baptism and confirmation in order to play their full part in the life of the Church.
1 he reported memorandum also said there might also be the possibility of allowing women some kind of ministry short of the priesthood. A special subcommittee of the Pope's International Theological Commission has for some time been studying the possibility of allowing women a non-priestly ministry. The memorandum, which was prepared by the Vatican Secretariat of State, reportedly said that Pope Paul wanted the limits to the Commission's scope clearly stated in advance: "In order to avoid an inexact taking of position which could lead to confusion or vain illusions."
The Commission on women was set up at the request of the 1971 International Synod of Bishops, which called for a study of the "responsibility and participation of women in the community life of society and also of the Church."
In fact, the Commission has as its main task the study of women's role in society.
The motion to pay more attention to the role of women was introduced by Cardinal George B. Flahiff of Winnipeg.
The Pope and many other prelates have ruled out the possibility of women priests on grounds of both tradition and theology. A prime argument is that Christ chose only men as his disciples.