Pope Francis has set up a commission to study women deacons, and in particular their role in the early Church. The commission of scholars includes six men and six women, plus Archbishop Ladaria Ferrer, secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, as president. The Pope has said that, although his understanding was that the women described as deacons in the New Testament were not ordained as male deacons are today, it would be “useful” to clarify the question.
What the British media are saying
It’s true, said Christopher Howse in the Daily Telegraph, that in 1862 “the Church of England made Elizabeth Ferard a deaconess, and, the next thing we knew, the place was thronged with women bishops”. But Catholicism cannot make that journey. “If the Catholic Church behaved like a political party, it would ordain women as fast as the Tory party embraced equal marriage,” Howse wrote. “But it doesn’t, and, whatever bafflement it may cause, it won’t.”
In the Washington Post, Julie Zauzmer noted that one commission member, Fr Karl-Heinz Menke, has already “argued that if women cannot be priests, then they cannot be deacons either”. Another, Phyllis Zagano, has said that women deacons were ordained in the early Church, and can be again.
What the blogosphere said
At his blog wdtprs.org, Fr John Zuhlsdorf made a prediction based on what he knows of the members: “So far, from what I can tell, the commission as a whole will probably lean in the direction of the impossibility of sacramental ordination.” Some members have already publicly opposed reform; others are seen as “conservative”, and so more likely to support the status quo, he noted.
Rita Ferrone of Commonwealmagazine.org alluded to the Pope’s recent joke that you start a study commission to avoid having to do anything. “But this line-up doesn’t sound like a rubber-stamp sort of commission to me,” Ferrone wrote. “Certainly the women have strong personalities and points of view, as well as a considerable wealth of scholarly expertise among them.”
The most overlooked story of the week
✣Holy See ‘is close to a breakthrough on China
What happened?
Cardinal John Tong, the Archbishop of Hong Kong, has said that China “is now willing to reach an understanding with the Holy See” on the question of appointing bishops. This follows a sustained period of diplomatic negotiation between Rome and Beijing. Rapprochement with China has been a priority for Pope Francis.
Why was it under-reported?
The secularisation thesis – the largely discredited idea that as societies modernise, they become less religious – still lingers in the media. That thesis cannot make sense of 21st-century China, in which Christianity grows as the country modernises. (Despite official hostility, there are said to be at least 30 million Christians in China, perhaps far more.) The situation is also baffling because it contains many unique complexities: for a start, there are two sets of bishops, some appointed by the Vatican in the normal manner, some by the state.
What will happen next?
According to some reports, the Vatican may pardon eight bishops appointed by the government without Holy See approval. Concessions on the Church’s side could lead to a let-up in persecution of Christians, maybe even the opening of official diplomatic relations, which could lead to a stable official Church presence in China. But progress will be slow. Official intimidation of Christians continues. House churches have been targeted recently in Xinjiang province, with pastors and families being arrested and detained.
✣The week ahead
From today until Sunday, Walsingham will host the first Marriage and Family Life pilgrimage. There is no attendance fee and families can camp on the site. As well as the sacraments, the Angelus, family rosary and prayer, there will be a procession for the Assumption ending in a firework display. Marriages will be blessed at the Saturday Mass.
Bishop Patrick Lynch will celebrate a Mass in Southwark Cathedral tomorrow for the 99th birthday of Blessed Óscar Romero. (right) The Mass marks the start of centenary celebrations of Archbishop Romero. He was martyred in 1980.
A group of pro-lifers will reach the end of a 3,000-mile walk this weekend. Crossroads, founded in 1995, organises walks from America’s west coast to Washington DC. Along the way, the walkers pray outside abortion clinics and give talks to parishes to encourage a culture of life. Tired marchers will attend a rally in Washington tomorrow.
Areas of Catholic Herald business are still recovering post-pandemic.
However, we are reaching out to the Catholic community and readership, that has been so loyal to the Catholic Herald. Please join us on our 135 year mission by supporting us.
We are raising £250,000 to safeguard the Herald as a world-leading voice in Catholic journalism and teaching.
We have been a bold and influential voice in the church since 1888, standing up for traditional Catholic culture and values. Please consider donating.