Female clergy answer the same call

Rev. Nancy Bauer-King of the United Methodist Church uses her op-ed in today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel to connect women's ordination and "minister" as an intransitive verb.

I don't know why [Kathy Sullivan] Vandenberg is seeking ordination. But my ordination came after a long, gradual and growing attention to my own deep longing to be close to the holy.

I wanted to be present at rituals celebrating life and death. I wanted to touch sacred things. Men got to touch sacred things. Why couldn't I?

Update: By contrast, from today's entry in Prayers and Devotions by Pope John Paul II, on the topic "The Priest Must Be Close to Christ and His People"

You must also learn to share the hopes and the joys, the sorrows and the frustrations of the people entrusted to your care. Bring them to Christ's saving message of reconciliation. Visit your parishioners in their homes. It is a pastoral practice that should not be neglected. Teach your people boldly about the faithful love of God. And do not forget all those with special needs, to whom Jesus Christ wants to offer peace of conscience and the forgiveness of all sins.

That doesn't sound like "the same call".