Vatican commission says 'no' to women as Catholic deacons

A high-level Vatican commission voted against allowing Catholic women to serve as deacons, maintaining the global Church’s practice of all-male clergy.

VATICAN CITY — A high-level Vatican commission voted against allowing Catholic women to serve as deacons, maintaining the global Church’s practice of all-male clergy, according to a report given to Pope Leo and released on Thursday.

The commission, in a 7-1 vote, said historical research and theological investigation “excludes the possibility” of allowing women to serve as deacons at this time but recommended further study of the issue.

Discussions about the possibility of women deacons, who are ordained and can assist with Church services but cannot celebrate Mass, have convulsed the 1.4 billion-member Church for the past decade.

On way home from Lebanon, Pope Leo warns against U.S. incursion into Venezuela02:32Catholic deacons can baptize people, witness marriages and preside at funerals, among other duties. In some areas of the world they can also lead parishes in the absence of a priest, but a priest must still celebrate the Mass.

The role, for centuries considered only a stepping stone to the priesthood, was reenvisioned as a permanent post for married Catholic men after a series of reforms by the Church in the 1960s.