A month-long synod at the Vatican ended with a heavy theme: women’s leadership within the Catholic Church. Although failing to vote in favor of ordaining women priests-the final cause of contention for a group of progressives-the conference completed a four-year dialogue designed to hear the collective view of Catholics around the world. Pope Francis, for the first time in history, included nearly 60 women in almost all the 368 voting delegates in this traditionally bishops-only assembly.
During the synod, members voted on 151 proposals. All of them achieved two-thirds majority approval, which is required to be approved. Yet the proposal for a bigger role of women in leadership had the most opposition indicating there is still a problem about how women are put together in an all-male clergy of the church.
Advocates had asked for a further push to have women made deacons, but the synod did not pursue that move. Its final document wrote that “there is no reason or impediment that should prevent women from carrying out leadership roles in the Church.”
Currently, this Catholic Church only has this diaconate limited exclusively to men. Deacons can perform some sacraments, such as baptisms and weddings, but cannot celebrate Mass, which only priests can do. Also, in reform groups, the last document did not give much about concrete measures for inclusion of LGBT individuals within the Church.
It did passingly mention those who feel “excluded or judged” based on their “marital status, identity, or sexuality.” The LGBT community was not mentioned at all, a fact some had anticipated. For instance, Father James Martin, an American Jesuit priest and member of the synod, is known for his outreach to LGBT individuals.
Reactions towards the summit were varied; Pope Francis described the final text as a “gift” for the Church’s 1.4 billion members. Traditionalists worry that including laymen in the process of making the document means a digression from norms that have developed in time. However, they claim it is key for the future of the Church, and grassroots contribute immensely in its decision-making processes.
The summit’s chief spiritual advisor, Father Timothy Radcliffe, stated that dialogue with other groups results in building friendships and deep faith despite different opinion, but the practical implications of these deliberations remain uncertain because critics have said the final outcomes lack boldness and may leave many on the sidelines with regards to the Church.
Only time will tell how these discussions are translated into concrete policies and practices within the Church, especially regarding women’s and LGBT inclusion.
