This important addition to the discussion on the role of women in the church comes at one of the most momentous times in recent church history, the Synod on Synodality. Framed around the precepts of listening, discernment, and participation, the synod seeks to hear the voice of the Spirit from within the voices of the entire church. This well written, thorough, and comprehensive collection of essays is a welcome addition to that process. In it we are invited to explore beyond the “closed door” of women's ordination and focus on the host of topics often left unaddressed on the role of women in the church in the room behind the door.Footnote ¹ Here we explore a host of subjects with the sensitivity of the modern scholar, well versed in the theology of Vatican II and ecumenical dialogue.

This set of essays puts forth in its organization and content the depth of material in both history and theology that reveals how truly noncontroversial women in church office should be today. Beginning with a reframing of the question in part 1, the volume then provides a scholarly analysis of New Testament texts and the power dynamics of women's authority before moving on to rereading the historical tradition in light of modern scholarship in part 2. Not shying away from the central question at hand in the church today, the third part of the text focuses on the issue of the women's deaconate from an ecumenical perspective, and the final two sections present theological arguments and pastoral perspectives soundly grounded in Vatican II principles regarding the role of women officeholders.

There are no superfluous texts in the collection. All the essays are valuable to student and scholar alike. Given the current climate, the latter chapters that evaluate women's roles through the lens of Vatican II theology and beyond are exceptionally engaging, especially as they connect the Roman Catholic position with those found in Protestant traditions. The analysis of Vatican II writings and subsequent documents on the topic of women's roles in ministry and the church is also mindful of current work in gender studies and anthropology. The results are logical, substantiated theological arguments that draw into question long-held positions that oppose certain roles for women in church ministry, making this work an important addition to course and conversation.

The collection developed out of material presented at the Ecumenical Congress on Women in Church Ministries: Reform Movements in Ecumenism at the University of Osnabrück on December 6–9, 2017. The translation is excellent, and the chapters cover a wealth of topics in a comprehensive and well-organized series of arguments. The material is certainly accessible for senior undergraduates, as well as graduate students and those who wish to more deeply understand the gifts given to all in the waters of baptism.