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CHRISTIAN BREAKING NEWS: To Allow or Not Allow Women to Serve as Deacons? Global Catholic Church Divided: Vatican Document [#WomenDeacons]

The global Catholic Church is divided on whether to allow women to serve as deacons, according to a Vatican document released on Tuesday, only weeks after Pope Francis ruled out any discussion on the subject.

Giving women a bigger role in the male-dominated Church is one of the themes being debated at a bishops’ meeting known as the synod.

Last year, a first session was held that yielded no results.

On Tuesday, the Vatican released a working document that will be used to inform discussions at the second and final session in October.

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

Priestly celibacy, another contentious issue for prospective reform, was not discussed, but the letter stated that African bishops are researching “the theological and pastoral implications of polygamy for the Church in Africa.”

Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, announced at a news conference that the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) will report on these matters at the October meeting.

Deacons, like priests, are ordained ministers who must be men in today’s Church. Women deacons existed in early Christianity, but it is unknown what their role was.

Contemporary deacons may not celebrate Mass, but they may preach, teach in the name of the Church, baptize, and conduct wedding, wake, and funeral rites, as well as manage a parish.

The Vatican document emphasized the need to “give fuller recognition” to women in the Church, stating that “by virtue of Baptism, they enjoy full equality”.

In an April interview with CBS’s “60 Minutes” program, which aired in May, Francis reacted with a clear “no” when asked if he was open to women deacons.

However, he observed that women frequently played deacon-like positions despite not having the formal title.

“Women are of great service as women, not as ministers,” according to him.

After meetings with national bishops’ conferences, theologians, Catholic institutions, and groups from throughout the world, the document known as “Instrumentum laboris” was presented.

Regarding another contentious subject, the wording made no specific mention of LGBT individuals but did call for more inclusivity.

“A need emerges in all continents concerning people who, for different reasons, are or feel excluded or on the margins of the ecclesiastical community or who struggle to find full recognition of their dignity and gifts within it.”

– Instrumentum laboris

It also highlighted requests for greater openness and responsibility among Church leaders, as well as increased involvement of lay Catholics in Church affairs, such as in response to sex abuse and financial crises, as well as pastoral matters.

NEWS SOURCE & LINKS:
Reuters

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