At Vatican Synod, Women’s Issues Are Relegated to a Side Group

A monthlong meeting of Catholic bishops and lay people at the Vatican ended on Saturday with a call for women to be given more leadership roles in the church. But on the question of whether women could be ordained as deacons, the church said the possibility “remains open” and required further meditation.

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg, one of the top officials at the meeting, said at a news conference on Saturday night that allowing female deacons was a delicate issue, and that the meeting, known as a synod, had not deliberated for or against it.

“The question remains open,” he said, adding that the pope had signed the document approving the meeting’s findings. “Who am I to contradict the Holy Father?”

The issue of women’s roles in the Roman Catholic Church, which had emerged as a priority when Catholics around the globe were canvassed for opinions ahead of the meeting, was repeatedly discussed at the synod. But the question of female ordination had been taken off the table and relegated to a separate study group that will present its findings to Pope Francis next summer.

The final document, presented Saturday evening, said “there is no reason or impediment that should prevent women from carrying out leadership roles in the church.” It also urged women to participate in the formation of priests in seminaries.

Each paragraph of the document required a two-thirds approval. The paragraph on women’s roles received the most no votes, but still passed, 258-97.