At Mass today, Pope Leo saluted the women who first carried the gospel. His early cabinet picks show these aren’t just sweet words — he’s making women central power players in the Church's governance.
There will come a day when the news that a new Pontiff has picked a woman to do anything will be simply the name and qualifications of the person--just as it ought to be.
In terms of women in authority in the church, we are still at the " Management not Ministry" stage, as Phyllis Zagano says. Except for one secular/canonical lawyer the Vatican women at governing level tend to be nuns in habits, except for Sr Nathalie in the Synodal Office, but all seem more than competent. Overall, women make up only about 10% of the Vatican workforce.
Keep your eye on this next round of Synodal gatherings. The urgent issue of women in ministry, especially restoration of women deacons, is due to " emerge" from its Dicastery study spot. If it makes it to the end of this second, 3 yr synod process we may see women ordained as deacons once again in our church. It is high time; in many places there is an urgent pastoral need. The world is moving fast ; the church needs to pick up some speed!
Now, that would be a headline, Christopher!! May your site still be thriving when it happens!!!
This is a strong beginning for Pope Leo. There will continue to be much pushback in working to allow women to become priests and he knows it. At least this way he is giving women top ranking in his cabinet which is a hopefully a trajectory for better things to come for women in the church.
There will come a day when the news that a new Pontiff has picked a woman to do anything will be simply the name and qualifications of the person--just as it ought to be.
In terms of women in authority in the church, we are still at the " Management not Ministry" stage, as Phyllis Zagano says. Except for one secular/canonical lawyer the Vatican women at governing level tend to be nuns in habits, except for Sr Nathalie in the Synodal Office, but all seem more than competent. Overall, women make up only about 10% of the Vatican workforce.
Keep your eye on this next round of Synodal gatherings. The urgent issue of women in ministry, especially restoration of women deacons, is due to " emerge" from its Dicastery study spot. If it makes it to the end of this second, 3 yr synod process we may see women ordained as deacons once again in our church. It is high time; in many places there is an urgent pastoral need. The world is moving fast ; the church needs to pick up some speed!
Now, that would be a headline, Christopher!! May your site still be thriving when it happens!!!
" Let it be so."
Great summary, Carol! I appreciate your reading.
This is a strong beginning for Pope Leo. There will continue to be much pushback in working to allow women to become priests and he knows it. At least this way he is giving women top ranking in his cabinet which is a hopefully a trajectory for better things to come for women in the church.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👍👏❤️
¡Bravo Leo!
Mary, and Elizabeth and Mary the Magdalene.
Window dressing! Time to tear down the patriarchal hold. Women must be priests. It’s that simple. The rest is just window dressing.