Cardinal Mario Grech announces consultation process to discuss women as deacons

The global Catholic Church remains divided on whether to allow women to serve as deacons, according to a Vatican document released on Tuesday, just weeks after Pope Francis ruled out any changes on the issue.

Increasing women’s roles in the male-dominated Church is one of the topics up for discussion at a summit of bishops known as the synod.

An initial, inconclusive session was held last year. On Tuesday, the Vatican released a working document to guide discussions at the second and final session in October.

“While some local Churches call for women to be admitted to the diaconal ministry, others reiterate their opposition,” the document stated.

Although women deacons will not be on the synod’s agenda, the document noted that “theological reflection (on the issue) should continue, on an appropriate timescale and in the appropriate ways.”

The document did not address priestly celibacy, another contentious topic for potential reform. It also mentioned that African bishops are examining “the theological and pastoral implications of polygamy for the Church in Africa.”

The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) will present their findings on these issues at the October meeting, Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, announced at a press conference.