Debate Before Conclave About the Role of Women in the Church

The role of women in the church and in the conclave is a sensitive topic. In the West, women make up the majority of mass attendees. Pope Francis granted women the right to vote at the synod and appointed Sister Raffaella Petrini as the head of government of the Vatican City State, which met with resistance. Some cardinals openly support the introduction of female deacons.

Different Positions of the Cardinals on the Role of Women

The Brazilian Cardinal Leonardo Ulrich Steiner, Archbishop of Manaus, pointed out that in his diocese many women perform functions similar to those of a deacon, such as leading prayer and catechesis. He suggested reintroducing the ordination of women to the diaconate, a practice that was common in the early centuries of the church. However, it is historically unclear whether the so-called deaconesses at that time held a true ordained office like today's diaconate or merely a church commission. The French Cardinal Jean-Marc Noël Aveline, Archbishop of Marseille, also showed openness to the topic of the female diaconate but maintains a cautious stance. The situation is different for Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, according to whom the question of the female diaconate is not yet "ripe."

Cardinal Robert Sarah, former Prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, is known for his conservative stance on the female diaconate. Sarah has often emphasized that the diaconate is an office that requires the reception of the sacrament of ordination, and that women, according to church tradition confirmed by Pope John Paul II, cannot receive this. The Hungarian Cardinal Péter Erdő is also concerned that admitting women to the diaconate is intended to open the door to the female priesthood. Differences on these issues could influence alliances and dynamics within the conclave. The cardinals could therefore try to promote only those candidates who share their views.

(APA/Red)

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