1 Corinthians

"...women should be silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as the law also says. If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church," (1 Corinthians, 14:34-35). In this chapter, Paul is talking about what should be done when people gather together for church. He says that two or three prophets should speak and that everything should be done for the purpose of building up the church. He then makes sure to explicitly mention that women should not be a part of this tradition. Paul also addresses women in Chapter 11 saying that women must wear a veil as a "symbol of authority" over their head when they pray so as to not disgrace it.  I've obviously observed this oppression of women in most of the Bible, with the exception of a few key figures. I also am aware that the idea that women were subordinate to their husbands (and men in general) was the norm in the time period that this was written. However, sometimes I feel like Paul contradicts himself when putting women in this position. In Chapter 12, he uses the human body as a metaphor for the church of Christ. He writes that "the body does not consist of one member, but many members" (1 Corinthians 12:14)  and argues that no member is more important or less important than another, they are all essential. He says, "God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member," (1 Corinthians 12:24). If this is the case, then why is the so-called "weaker sex" not given a greater role of authority within the church. It seems that the women are thought to be no where near as essential to the church as the males, and as the "inferior member," that they are not given any honor that could compare with the "superior member." What do you guys think about what Paul writes in his letter? Do you feel like he contradicts himself in saying these things?