WHEN Pope Francis suddenly, during an informal conversation, agreed to explore the idea of ordaining women as deacons, there was an extraordinary reaction.
It seemed to some, though I could not see it, that the Pope was on a slippery slope to the ordination of women as priests. In any case, the next day, May 13, the Vatican issued a statement denying the fact that ordination had been discussed. He had simply agreed to set up a commission to study the question of women and the deaconate.
However, whatever version of events you accept, and there should never have been this confusion, less women are again not seen to be taken seriously, there will be important results.
The first is that it could launch a genuine exploration of the theology about women. This must include a serious examination of women’s role beyond arguments about gender and ordination. Second, it can enrich the ministry of Diaconate but eliminating a gender requirement in order to become a deacon.
Third, we are dealing with a Pope who never seems to say all that is actually on his mind. What is most significant about Pope Francis’ response to this issue is the way it shows how open he is to discussion in the Church of ideas and how he wants discernment to be the process by which the church makes decisions.
Discussions behind closed doors are, I hope, at an end. The laity should not be kept in the dark on issues. That smacks of ‘clericalism’ and the Pope has already dissociated himself from clericalism and a clerical establishment which would suppress discussion out of self-interest or secrecy. Hopefully this issue puts pay to this kind of church.