Austria’s bishops are currently reporting to the Vatican during their five-day visit to Pope Francis and the Curia that many Catholics want permission for women deacons. The subject is also being raised at the ongoing World Synod.
The “women’s question” applies in the Catholic Church for many years as one of the really big unsolved problems – internally and also in terms of the relevance of the faith community in society. Quite a few Catholic women hope for Pope Francis. Hoping that he will allow the ordination of women to the diaconate.
This might be a first step towards the ordination of priestesses. But now a clear no comes from the Vatican, from a woman. The undersecretary of the synod secretariat, Nathalie Becquart, rejects the ordination of women.
The French nun is counting on more women in leadership positions in the Catholic Church than she holds one herself. But this is not connected with the consecration. Nathalie Becquart: “I think we need to broaden our vision of the church. There are many, many opportunities for women to serve the Church.”
Many in Austria want women’s consecration
She is leading the organization of the ongoing World Synod. The “women’s question” is also a big topic here. Austria’s 15 bishops, who have been paying visits to the Vatican authorities since Monday as part of the ad limina visit prescribed every five years, wrote in their contribution to the synod: It had become clear “that many believers in Austria want women’s ordination”. The highlight will be on Friday, a meeting with Pope Francis. It would be surprising if this topic were not discussed.
