VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican’s doctrine office will prepare a document on women in leadership roles in the Catholic Church, in a new initiative to respond to longstanding demands by women to have a greater say in the church’s life.
The Vatican announced Tuesday that the Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith will draft a document for Pope Francis’ reform efforts. This initiative marks the second phase, with bishops convening in October for the synod. The document aims to address significant aspects of leadership and role of women in the Catholic Church.
The Vatican announced the details of the doctrinal document shortly after its press conference on the preparatory work for the October meeting ended, meaning journalists didn’t have a chance to question the speakers about it. #CatholicChurchWomen
That seemed intentional. It was announced in a list of the members of 10 “study groups” that are looking into some of the thorniest and legally complicated issues that have arisen in the reform process to date, including the role of women and LGBTQ+ Catholics in the life of the church.
Pope Francis called the synod over three years ago as part of his overall efforts to make the church a more welcoming place for marginalized groups and where ordinary people have a greater say. The process, and the two-year canvassing of rank-and-file Catholics that preceded it, sparked both hopes and fears that real change was afoot. #CatholicChurchWomen
Catholic women do the lion’s share of the church’s work in schools and hospitals, and tend to take the lead in passing down the faith to future generations. But they have long complained of second-class status in an institution that reserves the priesthood for men.
