A small revolution occurred last night in the Vatican. For the first time, women and lay people voted on a synthesis document in a now historic Synod of Bishops. The images left by an assembly with nuns and lay women sitting and expressing their opinions at the same level as the bishops are already a great advance for the Church, in a representation of Pope Francis' will to turn the institution into a more welcoming place for that all the faithful can be heard by the ecclesiastical hierarchy. The most conservative area of the Curia, the minority that opposes Pope Francis, has repeatedly denounced this assembly as a danger that could open a Pandora's box that questions some moral pillars of the institution.
However, and as expected, the synthesis document of this first part of the Synod – which will resume work in a second session in October 2024 – has postponed decisions on some of the most sensitive issues that have been addressed, such as the blessings to gay couples or the role of women in the Church.
It is a less ambitious text – and more consensual – than what some progressive sectors of the Church wanted. Most of the proposals are general, and the report ignored one of the most controversial issues, the inclusion of the LGBTI community. For example, as can be read, they agree that the dignity of people who feel “marginalized” due to their marital situation, their identity and their sexuality must be listened to and defended, but they did not propose new openings and only demanded that “the necessary time” be dedicated to reflect on it.
The inclusion of women has been one of the most important topics in the round tables held during these weeks of October in the Paul VI Hall of the Vatican. Little has come of the debates that have been held behind closed doors – the Pope requested confidentiality to encourage dialogue – but there is consensus that women need to have more representation in the Church. The final document states that during the sessions the participants denounced that “clericalism, machismo and the inappropriate use of authority continue to mark the face of the Church,” which is why they demand “a profound spiritual conversion as the basis for any structural change.” .
Even so, there are no new answers on how to include women in the spaces reserved for men. The question of female priesthood is completely off the table, and, although the possibility of women becoming deaconesses has been addressed in the discussions, in the final vote count it was this issue that generated the most opposing votes. (more than sixty), so it is evident that it still raises many rough edges. In the end, it was established that theological and pastoral research on women's access to the diaconate must continue, so that these results can be presented in the next session of the assembly next year. Another of the topics received with less enthusiasm was the request to encourage African episcopal conferences to promote theological and pastoral discernment on the accompaniment of people in polygamous unions that approach faith.
“A bishop told me that he had seen the ice melt. This is an experience that does not end today, but will continue,” defended Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary general of the Synod, in a press conference. In short, with the discussions open, everything remains pending so that it can be deepened and decided at the next assembly next year, after which only the Pope will have the last word.
