‘Catholic theology and practice provide some breathing room to those who disagree on some noncentral issues, especially moral matters. People can make their own conscientious decisions and continue to participate in the life of the church despite practicing contraception, being divorced and remarried, or living in a committed gay or lesbian union. The church has space for practically all of these decisions.

Unfortunately, where it is a question of church structure, there is no wiggle room. Those who struggle for the ordination of women cannot solve the problem in conscience. The institutional church needs to change. I can appreciate why some women have left the Catholic Church. But I admire and support, as much as I can, those who stay and struggle for change. They are true pilgrims who witness to us the meaning of hope.’

--Charles E. Curran, excerpted from A Place for Dissent: My Argument with Joseph Ratzinger, Charles E. Curran, an article, Commonweal, A Review of Religion, Politics & Culture, May 6, 2005.