Readers sound off on women priests

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Our story on women who become Catholic priests in clandestine ceremonies touched off a wave of controversy among readers. We told the story of 61-year-old Kathleen Kunster of Emeryville, who said she always felt a calling to the priesthood. When she was finally ordained July 31 in a riverboat ceremony in Pennsylvania, she cried for an hour and a half. "It was extremely powerful — amazing," said Kunster, who has a master's degree in divinity and a doctorate in psychology. "I've been wrestling with this for a long time." Kunster is among a ripple of women who are tired of waiting for Vatican approval to join the priesthood. With the help of sympathetic bishops, they are realizing their dreams.

AMG of Texas emailed to say: "Women priests will never be accepted. Not by the Vatican and not by Roman Catholics.

It's a pity these women can't find their way, their vocation. What they need is humility and obedience. No true Catholic will ever respect them as long as they defy authority in the Church. Without authority, what do you have? Protestantism!

If they were honest they would just leave the Church. I'd respect that more."

Hello to my readers

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Talkingfaithblog is a way for readers of all convictions to share opinions, inspirations and ideas about science, faith and politics. Readers have responded strongly to the Contra Costa Times' stories about the ordination of women, about public opinion and atheism, and bridging the gap between Islam and western faiths. This is a forum for you to continue those and other discussions. Click the "comment" button and share your thoughts or email me at rrosenlum@cctimes.com.