Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Call for Maori women to become Catholic priests

Updated at 6:29 am on 25 October 2011

The acting head of a Rotorua-based Maori theological college says there are calls for Maori women to become priests in the Catholic church.

Currently only men can be ordained and as late as last year the Catholic church in Rome voiced its opposition to women being ordained.

Te Whare Wananga o Te Pihopatanga o Aotearoa delivers degree programmes which include an emphasis on tikanga Maori or Maori protocols for Maori wanting to be Anglican priests.

Interim chief executive Te Hope Hakaraia says it's more than 30 years since the Anglican church in New Zealand first ordained women as priests.

He says he's heard of calls within the Catholic church to do the same.

Mr Hakaraia says there's a shortage of people who are capable of leading church services.

A Catholic Church spokesperson says there have been calls for women to be ordained but it's the first time he's heard of the particular request for Maori women priests.

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