One truth that came out of the brouhaha is the truth about Mary Magdalene. Her apparent importance in the Christian faith was diminished when a middle ages Pope declared her to be the same person as an adulteress described in a previous chapter of the gospel where she first appears. Modern scholars agree that she isn't. Nowhere in the Bible does it state that she was ever an adulteress.

In terms of her importance, she was most likely one of Jesus' most important apostles. She was the first one to see him, purportedly, after his resurrection, and she was the only disciple at the cross.

Of course, since the Church has historically been run by men, they trumped up the role of Peter as opposed to Mary, and have downplayed her role as much as possible, while emphasizing that of Mother Mary instead. Thus propagating the idea of women in the Church hierarchy as inactive background figures who calmly accept authority, and giving a more active role to the male figures in Jesus' life.

Of course, the emphasis of Mother Mary has backfired in some respects, as Marian Worship has spread like wildfire in recent decades. If they'd concentrated on Mary Magdalene more than Mother Mary, they would've at least merely given her a co-equal position with the other apostles.