The editorial board of the National Catholic Reporter this week endorsed the ordination of women. Basing its position on a conclusion reached in 1976 by the Pontifical Biblical Commission, on “countless conversations in parish halls, lecture halls and family gatherings,” and on the supposed support of myriad unnamed, anonymous bishops, the Reporter calls “for the Catholic church to correct this unjust teaching.”

It offers a brief history of “Rome’s response to the call of the faithful to ordain women” that reads rather sourly—all intimidation, bad-faith and litmus tests. The overbearing men of Rome, most particularly Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, are depicted as keeping the good people down...