by Colm Holmes in Flashes
April 2026 celebrates 50 years since the Pontifical Biblical Commission declared women could be ordained.
The Commission was founded by Pope Leo XIII in 1902 to ensure sound interpretation of Sacred Scripture.
In 1975 the Commission was asked about the ordination of women. At that time all its members were ordained men.
In April 1976 the Pontifical Biblical Commission concluded unanimously (17-0):
“It does not seem that the New Testament by itself alone will permit us to settle in a clear way and once and for all the problem of the possible accession of women to the presbyterate.”
See also
Women Priests: A Catholic Commentary on the Vatican Declaration
and in particular, Biblical Commission Report Can Women Be Priests