three decades, about the nature of human beings and the meaning of masculinity and femininity? Second, what has been the practice of members of the Church hierarchy in their dealings with women? Finally, do the Church’s moral teachings and sacramental practices undermine the freedom and equality of women? I will have much to say about the first question, and others in this volume will address the third. As to the second question, while the historical details are outside my expertise, I suspect that