Women religious are assets to the Catholic Church

I thank Asuncion David Maramba for her enlightening commentary titled “‘Dakilang alalay’ (but not for long?)” (Inquirer, 7/14/12). God bless her!

I am a lawyer, male, and a member of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. Our pastors are married. And for years now we have had women pastors—and bishops, too. They are strong pillars of the church, just like the women laity.

I have worked with women religious on human rights and peace issues, and I have no doubt in my mind that they are assets to the Catholic Church.

I long for the day when we will have women bishops in the Catholic Church like Sr. Mary John Mananzan, and so many more talented and dedicated women religious who really are priests in every sense of the word.

—APO DUALING,

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