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| Pope Francis Says He’s Open to Studying Whether Women Can Serve as Deacons | |
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| ROME — Pope Francis suggested on Thursday that he was open to studying whether women can serve as deacons in the Roman Catholic Church, revealing an openness — if nothing else — to re-examining the church’s long-held insistence on an all-male clergy. | ROME — Pope Francis suggested on Thursday that he was open to studying whether women can serve as deacons in the Roman Catholic Church, revealing an openness — if nothing else — to re-examining the church’s long-held insistence on an all-male clergy. |
| The pope’s comments were made during an assembly of leaders of female Catholic religious congregations, and were consistent with his off-the-cuff style: a seemingly impromptu remark that opened a broad horizon of possibilities and, perhaps, long-held hopes by Catholic women who have clamored to play a more incisive role in the traditionally male institution. | The pope’s comments were made during an assembly of leaders of female Catholic religious congregations, and were consistent with his off-the-cuff style: a seemingly impromptu remark that opened a broad horizon of possibilities and, perhaps, long-held hopes by Catholic women who have clamored to play a more incisive role in the traditionally male institution. |
| During a discussion at the Vatican on Thursday, which at one point touched on the role that women deacons played during the early years of the church, Francis responded to someone who asked about the possibility of an official commission to study the question. His response was, in essence, “Why not?” | During a discussion at the Vatican on Thursday, which at one point touched on the role that women deacons played during the early years of the church, Francis responded to someone who asked about the possibility of an official commission to study the question. His response was, in essence, “Why not?” |
| “Set up an official commission that could study this question,” Pope Francis mused out loud, the ANSA news agency reported. “I think, yes. It would be good for the church to clarify this point. I agree. I will do something of the sort.” | “Set up an official commission that could study this question,” Pope Francis mused out loud, the ANSA news agency reported. “I think, yes. It would be good for the church to clarify this point. I agree. I will do something of the sort.” |
| ANSA also reported that the pope appeared uncertain about the actual role that women deacons had in the first years of the church, and whether they were ordained or not. A commission could help clarify such issues, he said. | ANSA also reported that the pope appeared uncertain about the actual role that women deacons had in the first years of the church, and whether they were ordained or not. A commission could help clarify such issues, he said. |
| Deacons are ordained ministers in the Roman Catholic Church, and in many parishes they perform many of the roles entrusted to priests. They are permitted to preach at Mass, baptize, witness marriages and conduct funeral services. They must be men over the age of 35, and they may be married (though if a deacon’s wife dies, he is expected to remain celibate). | Deacons are ordained ministers in the Roman Catholic Church, and in many parishes they perform many of the roles entrusted to priests. They are permitted to preach at Mass, baptize, witness marriages and conduct funeral services. They must be men over the age of 35, and they may be married (though if a deacon’s wife dies, he is expected to remain celibate). |
| The church in the United States has been actively encouraging men to become deacons to assist priests stretched thin because of a shortage of priests. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops says there are now more than 13,000 men serving in what is called the “permanent diaconate.” | The church in the United States has been actively encouraging men to become deacons to assist priests stretched thin because of a shortage of priests. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops says there are now more than 13,000 men serving in what is called the “permanent diaconate.” |
| This is not the first time the issue of female deacons has come up. In 1995, an American group of canon law experts said that ordaining women as deacons in the church would be in keeping with Catholic theology and past practice, though the Vatican never acted on that recommendation. The topic has continued to come up in discussions, however: Just last week, for example, scholars met at the University of Toronto for a conference entitled: “Women, the Diaconate, and the Future of Ministry.” | This is not the first time the issue of female deacons has come up. In 1995, an American group of canon law experts said that ordaining women as deacons in the church would be in keeping with Catholic theology and past practice, though the Vatican never acted on that recommendation. The topic has continued to come up in discussions, however: Just last week, for example, scholars met at the University of Toronto for a conference entitled: “Women, the Diaconate, and the Future of Ministry.” |
| Groups who have pushed for women to play a greater role in the church welcomed the pope’s declarations, as an important — if embryonic — step. | Groups who have pushed for women to play a greater role in the church welcomed the pope’s declarations, as an important — if embryonic — step. |
| The Rev. James Bretzke, a professor of theology at Boston College, said in a statement, “I can’t underscore enough how groundbreaking this is for the Church.” | The Rev. James Bretzke, a professor of theology at Boston College, said in a statement, “I can’t underscore enough how groundbreaking this is for the Church.” |
| Father Bretzke, who, like Pope Francis, is a member of the Jesuit religious order, added, “If women can be ordained as deacons, then this is going to weaken — not destroy — but weaken significantly the argument that women absolutely are incapable of being ordained as priests. So this is opening more than a crack in the door.” | Father Bretzke, who, like Pope Francis, is a member of the Jesuit religious order, added, “If women can be ordained as deacons, then this is going to weaken — not destroy — but weaken significantly the argument that women absolutely are incapable of being ordained as priests. So this is opening more than a crack in the door.” |
| The Women’s Ordination Conference, an American organization that supports the ordination of women as deacons, priests and bishops, said in a statement: “Opening a commission to study the diaconate for women would be a great step for the Vatican in recognizing its own history.” | The Women’s Ordination Conference, an American organization that supports the ordination of women as deacons, priests and bishops, said in a statement: “Opening a commission to study the diaconate for women would be a great step for the Vatican in recognizing its own history.” |