23 JULY 1948, Page 16

WOMEN IN THE PRIESTHOOD

SIR,—China is not the only country that is realising the necessity for the admission of women to the priesthood. This step was recently legalised by an Act of Parliament in Denmark. It is true that there was much opposition, and it is more than doubtful if it would have been carried through if it had been left to the authorities of the Church. Certain clauses in the measure have come in for special criticism, notably one that allows a bishop to ordain a woman for work in a parish outside his diocese if the diocesan of that parish is unwilling to do so. However, this last spring three women were actually ordained, and their rank and position in no way differ from those of men.—Yours truly,