The current crisis in the Catholic Church could have been avoided if the institution allowed women in leadership.

Recent columns from the left and the right, from Maureen Dowd to Peggy Noonan, have made this point.

Only in an institution where men avoid contact with women, families and children would a scandal like this be covered up rather than rooted out. At every turn, the Catholic Church has chosen to obfuscate the facts, cover up evidence, and then blame others rather than tell the truth, mete out justice, and start the process of healing.

Join me in telling the Catholic Church: If you are serious about changing the culture of abuse and corruption, put women into leadership positions.