The commission added that the diaconate was separate from the priesthood. “The unity of the sacrament of Holy Orders, in the clear distinction between the ministries of the bishop and the priests on the one hand and the diaconal ministry on the other, is strongly underlined by ecclesial tradition, especially in the teaching of the Magisterium.”
The current prefect of the CDF, Cardinal Gerhard Müller, took part in the 2001 commission. He said afterwards that women could not be ordained as deacons for the same reason they could not be ordained priests. “It would be a real discrimination against women if they were considered as apt for the diaconate, but not for the priesthood or episcopacy,” the cardinal said.
Pope Francis told the meeting that women could not preach at Mass because the priest is serving “in persona Christi” and should therefore give the homily.
He said the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments would send the International Union of Superiors General a full explanation of why women could not give a homily at Mass.
[Catholic Herald]
Responses