There are many examples in the New Testament of women being admitted into "holy orders" - Phoebe was one of the first Deacons of the Christian church as shown, ironically enough, in the 'Letter to the Romans', from a man who shows many indications of not actually liking women very much:

"I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deaconess of the church at Cenchreae, that you may receive her in the Lord as befits the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a helper of many and of myself as well (Romans 16:1-2)."

I'm not usually into slagging off religious leaders but one can't help but feel that this present pontiff is intent on dragging the Roman Catholic Church screaming and kicking back into the middle of the 15th Century.

LTS