Celine's excellent letter of Dec. 13 (True feminism)** extolling female dignity should be reviewed in the larger context of universal dignity as we are all created in the image of God.

This dignity is enhanced by our membership in the church which, as a spiritual Eve, is both the body and bride of Jesus who is High Priest and the new Adam. We, men or women, are all therefore priests and brides of Christ in the final analysis. However, members of the consecrated priesthood and nunhood are those called and chosen apart from the rest for their particular ministry.

It is not ordained for men to become nuns or women priests. The priesthood, for example, was instituted by Yahweh who called forth Aaron and his four sons to be "My Priests" as stated in Exodus 28:1. Jesus' apostolic choice of a dozen men confirmed this few- and all-male tradition. When Judas's position became vacant, Jesus could have filled it with one of the several women who, as Luke 8:1-3 states, were His constant companions. Instead, Jesus left it to the Holy Spirit whose choice of Matthias, sealed and nailed this tradition.

The Vatican can therefore only rubberstamp the prerogative of the Triune God in choosing His ministers. And besides, in terms of numbers, these presently represent less than one per cent of male Catholics.

The church is the Christ-instituted vehicle by which we can pass through the narrow gates of Heaven. Our continued membership in and co-operation with this church, within the divine plan, will ensure our true dignity and everlasting happiness.

*The present short article was published in Readers Speak Out, in The Catholic Register (Toronto: Week of January 31, 2000) p. 4. It is written to present the true dignity of Catholic men and women by virtue of their membership in the Church. This will come as a revelation and pleasant surprise to many, especially women, who were constantly reminded of this world being a "man's world" and all that is entailed. Feminists sprouted up demanding equality for women in all walks of life. And that was a good thing. Then, not content with success in the natural order, they demanded change in the spiritual order as well --- women to be made priests and God to be changed to Goddess being the most important.

What the feminists have forgotten is the fact that while many men may excel in the non-spiritual realm, it is oftentimes women who do better in the pure spiritual world. The letter by Celine highlights this fact. What has been omitted, though implied, is the fact that no man, be he a pope, priest or partriach, can even compare himself with what has been conferred on Mary, Queen of Heaven and earth.

**True Feminism by Celine F., Toronto. This letter, used with permission, was published in The Catholic Register (Toronto: Week of December 13, 1999) p. 4:

"Genesis describes woman as the last and crowning act of creation. This is best exemplified in the person of Mary, Queen of Heaven. Besides, nuns as "brides" of Christ also have a calling but it is different from priests who are "ministers" of Christ. Yet they serve the same God.

Priests administer the sacraments, celebrate the remembrance of the Last Supper, preach the Gospel and preserve the deposit of faith and, if I may add, that of morals too. Nuns, on the other hand, bring the love of Christ into the world by their good works and prayers. Mother Teresa was a shining example. It is said that, were it not for nuns, the world would have been in a worse state spiritually.

It is a shame more women are not climbing the walls and breaking down the doors of convents to claim their spiritual heritage. Sadly, books like Is the Pope Catholic? will keep them away."