To the Editor: Pope John Paul II, by his insistence on a male celibate priesthood (front page, May 31), makes his place in history as an unwitting reformer.

Rather than break new ground, the document reviews a line of argument for the male priesthood by noting that Jesus chose only men as his apostles, the Vatican officials said.

The Catholic Church defends its male priesthood by saying that "the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven are not the ministers but the saints."

He also defended the Church's exclusively male priesthood, once saying, "Jesus clearly did not ordain women to the priesthood, nor did he authorize the Church to do so."

Ceres' senior, male priesthood was a minor flaminate whose priesthood and rites were supposedly also innovations of Numa.

Considerations cited include local social conditions, ecumenical implications, or the symbolic character of the priesthood, an ancient tradition including an all male priesthood, as well as certain biblical texts.

The church is committed to the male priesthood and episcopate.

It should be noted however that not every argument for the necessity of a male priesthood necessarily entails a complete picture of God's dispensation as embodying male and female principles.

More endorse the removal of mandatory celibacy in the male priesthood.

There are clear and consistent theological reasons why the church has always offered the male ministerial priesthood as being Christ's will.