Originally published at The Catholic Thing
Responding to criticism after he failed to show up for a Synod discussion that was to include the question of female deacons, the Vatican’s doctrine czar insisted Monday that Pope Francis has made it clear that the issue “is not yet mature.” Besides, other possibilities for empowering women already on the books are being under-utilized. Victor Manuel Fernandez said that a commission to study the possibility of women deacons created by Pope Francis in 2020 has reached partial conclusions which will be published shortly. He said its work “continues” and is open to “considerations, proposals and concerns.” Fernandez also said that “reality is superior to ideas.”
