Vatican plans new document on women in the Church

The prefect of the Vatican's authority on the faith, Cardinal Victor Fernandez, has announced a magisterial document on the role of women in the Church at the World Synod in Rome. In a report on the work of a study group appointed by the Pope on this topic, he told around 350 synod participants in the Vatican on Wednesday evening that the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith had decided to draw up a document on this issue.

It will deal with the following questions, among others: The nature of sacramental power, the relationship between this power and the ministries in the Church, the origin of ecclesiastical ministries, ecclesiastical ministries and functions without sacramental ordination and finally: the problems arising from an erroneous conception of ecclesiastical authority.

The question of the diaconate of women is also being examined

Fernandez emphasised that his authority does not currently believe that there will be a positive decision on the diaconate of women. However, the question will be examined with a view to the future document. In the end, it will be submitted to the Pope for assessment and approval. Fernandez did not provide any information on a timetable for the investigations and the drafting of the document.

Fernandez last made headlines around the world in December 2023 when he opened up the possibility of church blessings for people living in same-sex relationships for the first time with the document"Fiducia supplicans". This led to positive reactions, but also to considerable tensions within the Church. (KNA)