Push Admin

This photo taken and handout on March 10, 2020 shows Pope Francis celebrating a daily mass alone in the Santa Marta chapel at the Vatican, as part of precautionary measures against the spread of the new coronavirus COVID-19. Handout/Vatican Media via AFP/File

This photo taken and handout on March 10, 2020 shows Pope Francis celebrating a daily mass alone in the Santa Marta chapel at the Vatican, as part of precautionary measures against the spread of the new coronavirus COVID-19. (Photo by Handout / VATICAN MEDIA / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / VATICAN MEDIA" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS ---

Article (news)

Pope Francis

Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173004964693820200310-coronavirus-pope-francis-mass-AFP.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="This photo taken and handout on March 10, 2020 shows Pope Francis celebrating a daily mass alone in the Santa Marta chapel at the Vatican, as part of precautionary measures against the spread of the new coronavirus COVID-19. Handout/Vatican Media via AFP/File"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">This photo taken and handout on March 10, 2020 shows Pope Francis celebrating a daily mass alone in the Santa Marta chapel at the Vatican, as part of precautionary measures against the spread of the new coronavirus COVID-19. <em>Handout/Vatican Media via AFP/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>VATICAN CITY, Holy See -- A Vatican assembly on the future of the Catholic Church on Saturday said that more should be done to help women overcome &quot;obstacles&quot; to taking leadership roles within the Church.</p><p>Since October 2, the Assembly of the Synod, comprising 368 religious and lay people -- including women -- from about 100 countries, has held closed-door debates about rejuvenating the Roman Catholic Church.</p><p>It is a personal project of Pope Francis, 87, who will have the final say on any doctrinal changes.</p><p>But in a rare move, the pontiff on Saturday said he would directly adopt the consultative body&#x27;s proposals.</p><p>In its final statement, the synod said &quot;there is no reason or impediment that should prevent women from carrying out leadership roles in the church&quot; -- without specifying what the roles might be.</p><p>&quot;However, women continue to encounter obstacles in obtaining a fuller recognition... in all the various areas of the Church&#x27;s life.&quot;</p><p>Of the final statement&#x27;s 155 paragraphs, that on women met with the most objections, with 97 votes against to 258 in favor.</p><p>There have been calls for women to be allowed to be ordained as deacons -- a question the statement said should continue to be debated, though it does not address similar calls for women to be permitted to become priests.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/world/2024/10/1/pope-francis-asks-pardon-for-abuse-treatment-of-women-313">WATCH: Pope Francis, ahead of Vatican summit, asks pardon for abuse, treatment of women</a></div><div><strong>- Open question -</strong></div><div><script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABPIH3GoRWRa6ART&amp;activation=click&amp;vip_mode=playing&amp;vip_position=bottom-right"></script></div><p>Unlike other Christian denominations, the Catholic Church only allows men to become deacons, who can officiate baptisms, weddings and funerals but not mass.</p><p>&quot;The question of women&#x27;s access to diaconal ministry remains open,&quot; the document reads, adding that &quot;this discernment needs to continue&quot;.</p><p>The document also proposes a reorganization of the training of priests and greater involvement of the laity, including in the selection of bishops.</p><p>But it makes no suggestions for the acceptance of LGBTQ worshippers.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/world/2024/10/2/pope-opens-new-debates-on-catholic-churchs-future-011">READ: Pope opens new debates on Catholic Church&#x27;s future</a></div><p>Since becoming head of the world&#x27;s almost 1.4 billion Catholics in 2013, Pope Francis has sought to reform the Church&#x27;s governance -- but has encountered major internal resistance.</p><p>When the assembly met for the first time in October 2023, the assembly addressed themes as varied as attitudes towards LGBTQ people, polygamy, the ordination of married men and the fight against the sexual abuse of children by clergy.</p><p>That followed a three-year worldwide consultation among Catholics to help guide the institution through the 21st century.</p><p>The assembly process was launched by Pope Paul VI in 1965. Last year&#x27;s meeting was the first time women were allowed to vote.</p><div><strong>© Agence France-Presse</strong></div>

<p>A Vatican assembly on the future of the Catholic Church on Saturday said that more should be done to help women overcome "obstacles" to taking leadership roles within the Church.</p>

A Vatican assembly on the future of the Catholic Church on Saturday said that more should be done to help women overcome "obstacles" to taking leadership roles within the Church.

Catholic Church assembly acknowledges 'obstacles' for women

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

World

Catholic Church assembly acknowledges 'obstacles' for women

Agence France-Presse

Published Oct 28, 2024 01:50 AM PHT

Read More:

absnews

anc promo

Catholic Church

Pope Francis

Synod of the Bishops

Vatican City

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.