Synod ends with Disappointment and Hope by Tom Reese, Gender Equality in Ordained Ministries Comes from the Spirit and Cannot Be Stopped by Bridget Mary Meehan

Participants attend a session of the 16th General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops at the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Oct. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

My Response:
While Pope Francis is not comfortable ordaining women as deacons, the Synod voted to keep this controversial topic on the table for ongoing discernment.

What a blessed time for a conversation in the Spirit!
Roman Catholic Women Priests have over 22 years of experience serving ecclesial inclusive communities of baptized equals in a new model of priestly ministry. We are leading the Church forward in people-empowered, non-clerical sacramental communities in 14 countries.
 I believe that nothing will stop the  global movement toward gender equity ,including gender equality in ordained ministries, because we are engaged in sacred work - a holy shakeup- that comes from the Spirit. Bridget Mary

Tom Reese's article: https://religionnews.com/2024/10/28/synod-ends-with-disappointment-and-

…”The synod is a disappointment to those who hoped it would support the priestly ordination of married men, the ordination of women deacons and greater outreach to LGBTQ Catholics around the world.

Although there was support for ordaining married men at the Amazon Synod, the topic was hardly discussed at this synod.

The issue of LGBTQ Catholics, which was referred to a study group by Pope Francis, continues to be controversial. Although the pope uses the terms LGBTQ and gay, the synod could not.

Sexual orientation is only obscurely mentioned in the 52-page final document, which decries the fact that some “continued to experience the pain of feeling excluded or judged because of their marital situation, identity or sexuality.”

On the other hand, some see progress in the simple fact that for the first time the topic was openly discussed at a synod. The rest of the world is just not where the United States and Europe are on LGBTQ acceptance.

The topic of women deacons was also referred to a study group by Pope Francis, who made clear that women deacons were not going to happen during his papacy.

However, the final document of the synod says that “the question of women’s access to diaconal ministry remains open. This discernment needs to continue.” This paragraph got the most negative votes (97 no out of 355 voting) but still passed by a two-thirds vote.

Although Francis said he will not approve women deacons, he leaves the issue open for further discernment by his successors and the church. Scholars can continue to research and write about the topic. No one is going to be silenced for advocating for women deacons.

Even if no progress was made on women deacons, the synod gives full support to greater involvement of women in the church, including in decision-making. “There is no reason or impediment that should prevent women from carrying out leadership roles in the Church,” the final report states, “what comes from the Holy Spirit cannot be stopped.”

“Inequality between men and women is not part of God’s design,” declares the synod. “The widely expressed pain and suffering on the part of many women from every region and continent, both lay and consecrated, during the synodal process, reveal how often we fail to live up to this vision.”

The synod also notes that under certain circumstances canon law allows lay men and women in the absence of a priest to lead Sunday liturgies, to baptize and to witness marriages. The synod calls for extending and stabilizing these opportunities where needed…”