It is heretical to believe that women are not made in the image and likeness of God.  If they are, then why should they be denied ordination, at least to the deaconate?

There is enough evidence and research to sink a battleship, proving that women did legitimately carry on the duties of the priesthood and even the episcopacy.  But the Vatican needs to take its blinders off and examine it, and recognize that it is the historic truth.  And Jesus did not just have TWELVE followers.  Scripture has the women from Galilee following Jesus down to Jerusalem.  Jesus had women disciples, permitted to sit at his feet to learn, just a male followers were permitted to learn from their teacher [rabbi].