August 2 | comments icon 0 COMMENTS     print icon print

1-POPE-FRANCIS

Vatican Commission to consider women deacons

Pope Francis (above) is to establish a commission to look into the issue of women deacons.

by Amanda Connelly

A Vatican statement today said that ‘after intense prayer and mature reflection, His Holiness has decided to set up the Commission to study the diaconate of women’.

The historic announcement comes after the topic of women serving as deacons was initially raised with the Holy Father in May.

The president of the Commission will be secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Archbishop Luis Ladaria Ferrer, S.J.

Also among the Commission members is Phyllis Zagano, an expert on the subject of female deacons.

Both Pope Benedict XVI and Pope St John Paul II were opposed to the move, feeling it could have the potential to undermine the concept of the all-male priesthood.

However Pope Francis said earlier this year that the idea needs to be given more careful consideration while speaking to nuns from across the globe.

“Constituting an official commission that might study the question? I believe yes,” the Holy Father said. “I accept. It seems useful to me to have a commission that would clarify this well.”

Leave a Reply

latest news

Pope says Olympics should inspire us all to ‘fight the good fight’

August 3rd, 2016 | comments icon 0 COMMENTS

A prize greater than a gold medals is up for...


Italian WYD pilgrims told to see doctor after young woman dies of meningitis

August 3rd, 2016 | comments icon 0 COMMENTS

After an Italian pilgrim to World Youth Day in Krakow,...


Barrhead church gets two break-ins in three days

August 3rd, 2016 | comments icon 0 COMMENTS

St John the Evangelist Church, Barrhead is appealing for...


Catholics urged to help Aleppo

August 3rd, 2016 | comments icon 0 COMMENTS

Catholics have been urged not to forget the victims of...




Social media

Latest edition

AUGUST-5-2016-PAGE-1

exclusively in the paper

 

  • Mary’s Meals launch their appeal for East Africa as the food crisis bites
  • Hugh Dougherty suggests the Church release the deacons
  • Full report on Glasgow Archdiocese Lourdes pilgrimage
  • Catholic teacher and social worker weigh in on Named persons
  • Scottish Churchgoers warned to be vigilant after French terror attack

Previous editions

Previous editions of the Scottish Catholic Observer newspaper are only available to subscribed Members. To download previous editions of the paper, please subscribe.

note: registered members only.

Read the SCO