Pope Francis to commission a study to allow women serve as deacons in the Catholic Church

Pope Francis said he is willing to create a commission to study whether women should be allowed serve as deacons within the Catholic Church. The pontiff was addressing a meeting of 900 women who were members of various religious congregations from around the world. When asked about the prospect of female deacons, Pope Francis said he was not opposed to the idea. A deacon can lead certain services but cannot say Mass. A deacon can also administer a parish in the absence of a priest. 

Under current rules, the Church allows married men who are at least 35 to sign up as a deacon. 

However, the Vatican stressed decision to allow women deacons would not lead to the ordination of female priests. According to the National Catholic Reporter, Pope Francis revealed he had discussed the issue of women deacons many years ago with a 'wise' professor. They were unable to determine the role women deacons held in the early church.  

 

He said: 'Constituting an official commission that might study the question? I believe yes. It would do good for the church to clarify this point. I am in agreement. I will speak to do something like this.'

Pope Francis said there were theological and liturgical issues over whether women can deliver the homily in a Mass because the priest is serving 'in persona Christi'.  He said women should have a greater role to play in the life of the church 'whether consecrated or lay.