The Council of Cardinals (C9), convened by Pope Francis on June 17 and 18, 2024, at the Vatican, once again considered the role of women in the Catholic Church, the Holy See Press Office reported at the conclusion of the two-day meeting.
This is a reflection that has been underway for more than six months, with various theologians and experts invited to take part. The issue is under discussion at a time when the historical understanding of the role of women and the diaconate is much discussed in various parts of the Church.
Created shortly after the election of Pope Francis, the Council of Cardinals today gathers nine cardinals around the pontiff to advise him in the government of the Catholic Church. It remains a body outside the Curia.
This time, the Pope and his advisors heard from economics researcher Valentina Rotondi, and Canon Law professor Donata Horak. And for the second time, they heard from Linda Pocher, an Italian religious sister from the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, who teaches Christology and Mariology at the Pontifical Faculty of Educational Sciences Auxilium in Rome.
An ongoing reflection, also in the Synod
This reflection on women has already been underway for over six months within the C9. At the last three meetings, in December, February, and April, various women religious and theologians — including a Church of England bishop, Jo Bailey Wells, Deputy General Secretary of the Anglican Communion — already addressed the prelates.
The place of women in the Catholic Church today is one of the major themes of the Synod on the Future of the Church, a major project that started in 2021.
Last October, the Pope allowed women to vote during a synodal assembly for the first time. At that session, differences arose over the question of a possible female diaconate. The members called for "further theological research" on this subject, based in particular on the results of the commissions set up by the Pope in 2016 and 2020.
But the Argentine pontiff recently seemed to close this door, clearly ruling out the possibility of ordaining women deaconesses, in an interview with the American channel CBS broadcast on May 21.
Other topics addressed and the next meeting
In recent days, the C9 has also discussed the protection of minors, the functioning of episcopal conferences, and ongoing conflicts around the globe. The next session of the Council will take place in December 2024, the note states.
The structure created in 2013 is today made up of Cardinals Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State (Italian); Sérgio da Rocha, Archbishop of Salvador de Bahia (Brazil); Jean-Claude Hollerich, Archbishop of Luxembourg; Juan José Omella, Archbishop of Barcelona (Spain); Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, Archbishop of Quebec (Canada); the Spaniard Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State; Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay (India); Seán Patrick O'Malley, Archbishop of Boston (USA); and Fridolin Ambongo, Archbishop of Kinshasa (DRC). The Council's secretary is Italian bishop Marco Mellino.
