2023-10-29 19:54:11
The synod of the Catholic Church, made up of bishops and laity, opened the question of the female diaconate on Saturday, deeming it “urgent” to integrate women into decision-making processes. A consultative document has been published, after a month of debate in the Vatican.
It is presented as a “progress point” before a second general assembly in October 2024 at the Vatican. “It is urgent to ensure that women can participate in decision-making processes and assume roles of responsibility in pastoral care and ministry,” we can read in this 42-page document, after being submitted to the vote of 365 members, including the Pope.
>> To find out more about this synod, read: Change or reaffirm Catholic doctrine? The Synod at the Vatican asks the question
Many women spoke of “a Church that hurts”, specifies the document, regretting that “clericalism, machismo and the inappropriate use of authority continue to mark the face of the Church and harm communion”.
The text also recommends “theological and pastoral research on women’s access to the diaconate”, an option “unacceptable for some” which crystallizes divisions while the role of deacon remains, like that of priests, reserved for men.
Strong resistance
Presented as a priority, the question of the place of women aroused the strongest resistance, two proposals having received the greatest number of “no”, with around 20% of the votes.
“This confirms that these are open questions: the study is underway. There is still a way to go,” commented Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary general of the synod, believing that the Church “creates spaces for all “.
A month of debates
Polygamy, ordination of married men, fight against violence: for almost a month, members, from all continents and assisted by around a hundred experts, debated in groups and behind closed doors on the future of the Church.
After a vast consultation of the faithful from all over the world for two years, this symposium, subject to very restricted communication, opened on October 4 amid strong expectations of openness and the concern of certain conservatives fearing a distortion of the doctrine. For the first time, 54 women, as well as lay people, had the right to vote in the same way as bishops and cardinals, a turning point desired by Francis.
>> See the 7:30 p.m. report on this unprecedented vote: On Wednesday during the opening of the Synod, women and lay people were able to vote. A first in history, while the Catholic Church is faced with several torments / 7:30 p.m. / 2 min. / October 4, 2023
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