Debate: Can A Woman Receive the Sacrament of Orders with Sr. Maureen Fiedler SL and Fr. Joseph Fessio SJ

The 1999 debate at Georgetown University between Sr. Maureen Fiedler SL and Fr. Joseph Fessio SJ on the topic Can a Woman Receive the Sacrament of Orders? This debate was moderated by Fr. J. Augustine DiNoia, At the time, Fr. DiNoia, was serving as theological staff to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Doctrine. This quote from the Fr. DiNoia adds context to the discussion: Also I should mention that there have been some questions, of course, about an odd idea that one is not allowed to speak about this subject. There is no such ruling. One cannot come to an understanding and deepening of the reflection of the nature of the gift of (that) holy orders is to the Church without speaking about it. So we must not think that we’re transgressing here any rulings of any kind. This is exactly the kind of debate and reflection that our Holy Father and indeed the entire theological tradition has always expected and indeed urged.