I read with great interest the article (“Catholic peer condemns lack of active women at family synod”, The Tablet, 11 October). I could not agree more and the ratio of women attendees at the Family Synod is disappointing and disheartening. Hopefully this state of affairs will be addressed next year when they convene again.
She is quite right and there must be a real conversation soon about our role in the Church. I don't think the hierarchy does “get it” with exceptions, that women are becoming frustrated by the stained-glass ceiling, obstructing our concerns and lack of meaningful contributions.
Pope Francis does appear willing to include us in more decision-making roles but there always still appears to be a closed-shop mentality. The twentieth-century archetypal image of women always in the background is out of place now and should have no validity in this age of women making outstanding contributions in all their fields. I rest my case with the Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to Malala Yousafzai. She is sharing it with a man, but how refreshing would that be in our Church today.
Judith A. Daniels, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
While I agree wholeheartedly with Nuala O'Loan's criticism, I also suggest it is time The Tablet put its own house in order.
I cannot remember the last time a picture of a woman appeared as the main story on the front cover or anything like as frequently as men on the inside pages.
This week's issue, for example, contains pictures of numerous cardinals (all male) on the cover and page 29, 15 other men on the inside pages, and just four women. There are also pictures of six orang-utans. I have not included in my count cartoons (five men), statues or plaster saints.
On the plus side I congratulate you on having equal numbers of female and male employees according to your editorial listing at the back of the paper.
Would the editor consider running a “spot the woman” competition for a few weeks? I'll gladly provide the prize.
Kevin Mayhew, Stowmarket, Suffolk
Above: The Tablet's 11 October issue. Is the central orangutan (above) a female?
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