A British Nun's Rebellion

Somehow the CDF has to learn how to dialogue with people. How to listen. The first word of the Rule of Saint Benedict--a text I hugely respect--is the word "listen." My question is, how can the CDF learn to listen?

You've spoken of women's current contributions to the church. How does this qualify them, in your view, to be priests?

I think women are conspicuous for their work of reconciliation. I've recently been to Peru, where I met with remarkable nuns, who work with people who are poor, violent, druggy, intelligent, questioning. These women go to places where no other priest would go. Women are good at networking, communicating and teaching. Women can represent Christ as adequately as men because they, too, are made in God's image and likeness. If women can perform the threefold ministry of Jesus--namely healing, teaching and proclaiming the Gospel by their very being--then the debate about ordination needs to be reopened. There are many sisters who feel depressed and undervalued because their male colleagues have no respect for their work. The church will have to live with the consequences.

Apart from the huge issue of women's ordination, how does this sexism play out on a day-to-day basis?