Theologians reject Pope’s vision of women’s role and demand unbiased committee examine evidence of Women Deacons
Immediate release: Wednesday, February 12th
The Wijngaards Institute for Catholic Research laments the announcement today that the papal ban on women deacons will remain in place. The Pope’s refusal to consider the ordination of women rejects the explicit recommendation of the synod on the Amazon, where about 185 bishops recognised the reality on the ground that “the majority of Catholic communities are led by women” and that “in a large number of these consultations, the permanent diaconate for women was requested”.
Pope Francis justified such a unilateral decision on the grounds that he does not want “to clericalise women.” This is a dereliction of his duty as a leader with the power to make positive change and challenge discrimination and his position cannot be justified unless and until the Pope also declares that no more men should be recruited for the ministry so as not to “clericalise” them. This post-synodal document is a betrayal of women by denying them the grace of holy orders to do a ministry they are already carrying out. Moreover, women have been ordained deacons in the past.
The Wijngaards Institute’s own research, conducted over the past 30 years, shows that tens of thousands of women served as ordained deacons during the first millennium of the Church and received a full ‘sacramental’ ordination, in today’s theological language. Our documented appeal for the reinstatement of women deacons, published in September 2015, was signed by leading theologians and prominent Catholics from around the world. It was also sent to Pope Francis and his office acknowledged receiving it: Wijngaards Institute on the reinstatement of women deacons.
We are calling on Pope Francis to read this evidence and to establish a new commission that is comprised of truly independent scholars recommended by international Catholic theological associations*. We caution against allowing the Curia to handpick a group of academics known for their traditional views and hostility to women to decide on a new, restricted role for women that ensures they remain second class citizens.
The post-synodal document means that thousands of women, among them many women religious, will now continue to do the work to sustain the Church behind the scenes, still lacking official recognition, still denied the authority to act without the supervision of men.
Pope Francis’ decision perpetuates gender discrimination that denies women the dignity and respect to live out their vocations and be recognised as critical to the equal leadership of Church communities as the peers of, not servants of men.
Contact:
Miriam Duignan: T +44 7970 926910 E miriam.duignan@wijngaardsinstitute.com
Dr. Luca Badini Confalonieri: T: + 44 7446 283699 E luca.badini@wijngaardsinstitute.com
- Suggested associations asked to delegate experts include: The European Society for Catholic Theology; The Catholic Theological Association of America; Red Latinoamercana de Informacion Teologica, Catholic Hispanic Theologians; Asociacion de Teologas; The Theological Ecclesia of Women in Asia