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| Pope Francis Says Panel Will Study Whether Women May Serve as Deacons | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| ROME — Pope Francis said on Thursday that he would set up a commission to study whether women can serve as deacons in the Roman Catholic Church, revealing an openness to re-examining the church’s long-held insistence on an all-male clergy. | ROME — Pope Francis said on Thursday that he would set up a commission to study whether women can serve as deacons in the Roman Catholic Church, revealing an openness to re-examining the church’s long-held insistence on an all-male clergy. |
| His move was hailed as a breakthrough by Catholic women who have clamored for years to be given a more prominent role in the church, and who cite research showing that women in the church’s early history served as deacons. | His move was hailed as a breakthrough by Catholic women who have clamored for years to be given a more prominent role in the church, and who cite research showing that women in the church’s early history served as deacons. |
| But the idea will face stiff resistance from some who believe that ordaining women as deacons is the first step toward ordaining female priests — which recent popes have ruled out, citing church doctrine. | But the idea will face stiff resistance from some who believe that ordaining women as deacons is the first step toward ordaining female priests — which recent popes have ruled out, citing church doctrine. |
| The pope’s comments were made during an assembly of leaders of women’s religious orders, and were consistent with his style: a seemingly off-the-cuff remark that opened a broad horizon of possibilities. | The pope’s comments were made during an assembly of leaders of women’s religious orders, and were consistent with his style: a seemingly off-the-cuff remark that opened a broad horizon of possibilities. |
| During a discussion at the Vatican on Thursday, which at one point touched on the role that female deacons played during the early years of the church, Francis was asked about the possibility of an official commission to study the issue. His response was, in essence, “Why not?” | During a discussion at the Vatican on Thursday, which at one point touched on the role that female deacons played during the early years of the church, Francis was asked about the possibility of an official commission to study the issue. His response was, in essence, “Why not?” |
| “Constituting an official commission that might study the question?” Pope Francis mused out loud, according to the National Catholic Reporter. “I believe yes. It would do good for the church to clarify this point. I am in agreement.” | “Constituting an official commission that might study the question?” Pope Francis mused out loud, according to the National Catholic Reporter. “I believe yes. It would do good for the church to clarify this point. I am in agreement.” |
| “I accept,” the pope said later. “It seems useful to me to have a commission that would clarify this well.” | “I accept,” the pope said later. “It seems useful to me to have a commission that would clarify this well.” |
| Deacons are ordained ministers in the Roman Catholic Church, and in many parishes they perform the same roles as priests. They are permitted to preach at Mass, perform baptisms, witness marriages and conduct funeral services. Deacons 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 the same roles as priests. They are permitted to preach at Mass, perform baptisms, witness marriages and conduct funeral services. Deacons 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 for decades 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 more than 13,000 men are now serving in what is called the “permanent diaconate.” | The church in the United States has for decades 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 more than 13,000 men are now 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 be discussed, however: Just last week, scholars met at the University of St. Michael’s College in Toronto for a conference titled: “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 be discussed, however: Just last week, scholars met at the University of St. Michael’s College in Toronto for a conference titled: “Women, the Diaconate and the Future of Ministry.” |
| Groups that have pushed for women to play a greater role in the church welcomed the pope’s declarations, as an important — if embryonic — step. | Groups that 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 idea of female 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 idea of female 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.” |