"The Papal "No" is a unique book in contemporary literature concerning the Roman Catholic Church's increasingly controversial exclusion of women from priesthood." "Requiring no background knowledge and written in clear and accessible language, The Papal "No" assembles virtually all the major Vatican documents on women's ordination, exploring responses to them by theologians, educators, bishops, lay Catholic groups, and others. Along the way, it offers explanations of concepts such as "reception" and "subordinationism" that are unfamiliar to many readers." "With an appendix of twelve key documents numbered for easy reference, helpful glossary, and endnotes for scholars, The Papal "No" is the most complete resource ever to appear on one of the most pressing issues in the Catholic Church today."--BOOK JACKET.