Ida Raming Livres

55 years of struggle for women's ordination in the Roman Catholic Church - this lifelong effort by the theologian Ida Raming - together with her pioneering compatriots, some of whom have passed away - are described in this documentation. She is deeply convinced that a fundamental renewal of the church can only be achieved together with women who are no longer subject to discrimination - and not without them. Beginning with the Vatican Council (1962 - 1965), this endeavor has stretched across several phases of church history all the way into the present. Numerous documents bearing witness to internal church developments, conflicts and international movements are related in a vivid, gripping manner from the perspective of the author. The international Women Priests Movement (RCWP/ARCWP), its inception and development, is also described in this context. This documentation offers an excellent aid in studying the epoch of church history dating from 1962.

Two female German theologians bear witness to their lifelong struggle for a groundbreaking reform of the position of women in the Roman Catholic Church. Ever since Vatican Council II they have been committed to a renewed church where women may use their talents in ordained ministry to serve the people of God. They describe the gender discrimination they faced in acquiring their theological educations, the courageous steps they have taken in recent years to respond to their priestly callings and to help other gifted women do the same. These are two intertwined autobiographies, enriched by an appendix with noteworthy historic documents from the 1960's to the present day, including correspondence with Professors Joseph Ratzinger and Karl Rahner.