ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that priestly abuse is a byproduct of the dissociation of sexuality from spiritual life and religious practice, which developed as a male, authoritarian, ecclesial administrative system evolved within Christianity. In the current ferment over reinterpreting ancient texts and traditions, feminist theologians and historians are developing a Christology in which women have an equal role in all aspects of the Church community. Mandatory celibacy, misogyny, and patriarchy cemented the power of Catholic fundamentalism. They are at the root of the resulting crisis in the Church. The moral of Christian sex/gender discourse: Men are wounded and suffer because they fall prey to women's sexual powers whose ultimate result is the death of the god/man. The existence of missionary teams where men and women had equal roles provides evidence that women played the roles of "priests" in the early church, and that priests were married.
