This book should become the standard reference in the debate about women's ordination. The author cites copiously from American as well as European sources and presents the feminist position in the words and categories of the leading feminist authors. But, for the first time, the whole question is placed in the comprehensive context of anthropology, biology, psychology, philosophy, and theology. You will find a balanced presentation of the profound consistency of the Catholic Church's teaching and the practice concerning the role of women in the Church and in society. Written in a scholarly, yet very readable manner.
The work was accompanied by an ecumenical concern from the very start, to which I am indebted insofar as I have tried to take due account of the international debate on my topic, including the part played by non-Catholic Christian communities. I have, therefore, placed special value on the biblical foundations of the larger structure of the Catholic Faith, and have proceeded from there in connection with Tradition.
I am very glad that an English edition will now be published in the United States, for here the topic of women in the Church is discussed with special fervor. On quite a number of pages, the reader will find references to the American situation and citations from American literature.
� Manfred Hauke
Undoubtedly the definitive work available on this important topic.
� Hans Urs von Balthasar
Manfred Hauke, Ph.D., is a German priest who teaches dogmatic theology at the University of Augsburg. He is very conversant with the leading literature on the topic of women priests and has written numerous articles on this and other theological topics.
