The prefect for the Doctrine of the Faith explained to the Synod that the Pope does not want to enter now into the question of diaconal or priestly ordination of women. He said that this is an issue that is not yet ripe and that, moreover, if considered, would affect a minimal part of Catholic women.
In fact, Cardinal Fernández noted that Pope Francis asked him to look for other ways to promote women in the Church. That is why the dicastery is studying figures such as Catherine of Siena, Joan of Arc and Saint Teresa.
The explanations given by the prefect tried to respond to the demands of some Synod participants who showed their dissatisfaction to the cardinal. They felt that he was not taking the matter too seriously.
In the final stretch of the Synod, tensions are emerging around some difficult issues. The role of women is one of them. For this very reason, months ago, Pope Francis had asked that these issues be studied separately. The cardinal presented to the assembly some of the conclusions of that study on October 2. He said that a positive decision regarding the ordination of women was not yet possible.
TR: JD
