Scottish Catholic Observer

by Amanda Connelly

A Vatican statement today said that ‘after intense prayer and mature reflection, His Holiness has decided to set up the Commission to study the diaconate of women’.

The historic announcement comes after the topic of women serving as deacons was initially raised with the Holy Father in May.

The president of the Commission will be secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Archbishop Luis Ladaria Ferrer, S.J.

Also among the Commission members is Phyllis Zagano, an expert on the subject of female deacons.

Both Pope Benedict XVI and Pope St John Paul II were opposed to the move, feeling it could have the potential to undermine the concept of the all-male priesthood.

However Pope Francis said earlier this year that the idea needs to be given more careful consideration while speaking to nuns from across the globe.

“Constituting an official commission that might study the question? I believe yes,” the Holy Father said. “I accept. It seems useful to me to have a commission that would clarify this well.”