VATICAN CITY (EFE).— The Synodthe summit of bishops and faithful from around the world to the Vatican, concluded yesterday with a document in which it urges seek more positions of responsibility for women and to study the female diaconate, with a notable division, and prevent the scourge of abuse.
The Argentine pontiff himself attended the last session of debates to announce that he will not write an apostolic exhortation with indications on the matter but that this document is “sufficient” as a compass for the churches of the entire planet.
More spaces for women in the church
The Synod is a consultative summit instituted by Paul VI in 1965, in light of the revolutionary’s openings Vatican Council II.
Until recently, only bishops from around the world participated, but by order of Francis, lay people and women have joined.
On this occasion, this assembly had 358 “synodal fathers and mothers”, since 53 are women, also with the right to vote, and after a month of intense debates on important issues for the Church of the future, yesterday they drafted a final document .
One of the issues that received the most attention is the role of women in the Catholic Church, but it was also the part that caused the most disagreement among attendees.
No impediments to women’s leadership in the church
Point 60 states that “there are no reasons that prevent women from assuming” leadership in the church and urges us to continue analyzing one of the hottest debates, the possibility of ordaining deaconesses.
It is the paragraph that created the most annoyance: 97 votes against compared to 258 in favor.
The Synod recognizes that already There are some women who hold positions of responsibility but “invites us to give full effect to all the opportunities already provided for by current law regarding the role of women.”
And he maintains that the question of the female diaconate “remains open,” pointing out the need to “continue discernment” on this issue.
Although the Pope recognized that, for now, the times are not ripe.
This Catholic summit also encourages giving more room to women in liturgies:
“The assembly also invites us to pay more attention to the language and images used in preaching, teaching, catechesis and the writing of official documents of the Church, giving greater space to the contributions of holy women, theologians and mystics,” he alleges. .
Likewise, it is recommended that in the training of priests there be “a significant presence of female figures.”
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**Interview with Dr. Maria Elena Torres, Vatican Affairs Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Torres. The recent Synod in Vatican City has generated a considerable amount of discussion, particularly regarding the role of women in the Church. Could you give us an overview of the main outcomes?
**Dr. Torres:** Absolutely. The Synod concluded with a document advocating for increased positions of responsibility for women within the Church, as well as further exploration of the female diaconate. This marks a significant step in the conversation about women’s roles in the Church, but it also highlighted some divisions among the participants.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of divisions, we’ve seen reports of outrage following the absence of Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, who is pivotal to discussions on women’s ministries. What impact could this have had on the proceedings?
**Dr. Torres:** Cardinal Fernández’s absence was quite controversial. His presence could have provided crucial insights given his role as coordinator of the secretive synod study group on women’s ministries. Many advocates for women feel that such absences might hinder the momentum towards meaningful change.
**Interviewer:** The Pope himself attended the final session but decided not to write an apostolic exhortation. How significant is this decision?
**Dr. Torres:** It’s quite significant. By stating that the document produced is “sufficient,” Pope Francis is signaling a new direction for the Church, trusting that this discourse will guide future actions. This departure from traditional follow-up documents may inspire more grassroots movements within the Church.
**Interviewer:** The inclusion of lay people and women in the Synod is a relatively recent development. How do you think this has influenced the discussions?
**Dr. Torres:** Including women and lay members has undoubtedly enriched the conversation. Their perspectives bring a fresh and diverse approach to traditional governance structures, which could lead to more inclusive decision-making practices in the Church’s future.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, Dr. Torres, where do you see the Church heading in terms of gender equality in the coming years?
**Dr. Torres:** While the journey towards gender equality in the Church is fraught with challenges, this Synod has laid the groundwork for potential changes. If the momentum continues, we could witness a more significant integration of women in leadership roles, although the pace will depend on ongoing dialogues and cultural shifts within the Church hierarchy.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Torres, for your insights. It will be interesting to see how these developments unfold in the coming months.
