The publication of the Synod Study Group report on women’s participation, according to Cardinal Hollerich, marks a “big step” toward greater inclusion in the Church. He stresses, however, that any possible development in women’s access to ordained ministry requires broad ecclesial consensus to preserve unity.
By Gudrun Sailer and Linda Bordoni Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, S.J., Archbishop of Luxembourg and General Relator for the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (the Synod on Synodality), has described the publication of the Synod Study Group report on women’s participation as an important step forward, while stressing that any future development in ordained ministry requires broad ecclesial consensus. The report, produced by Study Group No. 5 on “Women’s participation in the life and leadership of the Church,” was recently issued by the General Secretariat of the Synod as part of the post-synodal reflection process. Context of a contested quotation Speaking previously at the University of Bonn, Hollerich was quoted as saying: “I cannot imagine, in the long term, how a Church can survive, if half of the People of God suffer because they have no access to ordained ministry.” In an interview with Vatican News, the Cardinal clarified that the remark referred specifically to discussion on the possible ordination of women as deacons and to a long-term perspective. He expressed his belief that such questions require a broad consensus across the Church to avoid division. He pointed to tensions within the Anglican Communion as an example of how disputes over ministry can lead to fragmentation. Communion in the Catholic Church, he noted, is profound, making unilateral decisions particularly difficult, repeating that the issue in question “is about deacons‘ ordination and the action is long-term.“ Study Group 5: “a big step” Cardinal Hollerich described the report of Study Group No. 5, established by Pope Francis, as a significant development: “It is a big step,” he said. He added that “It is so important that women feel that they are welcome in the church, not just for filling up the benches in the church, but to fully participate in the life of the Church, to fully participate in the mission of the Church.” The Cardinal affirmed that the discussion remains open and that the identification of issues itself is an important part of the synodal process. Paths to leadership Pope Francis and Pope Leo, the Cardinal continued, are “showing the way to do it” and pointed to recent appointments of women to senior positions in the Roman Curia by both pontiffs as evidence of gradual change. He also highlighted developments in his own archdiocese, where, he said, women serve as episcopal delegates responsible for key pastoral areas, including social ministry and formation, as well as in teams accompanying seminarians. Unity and diversity in practice Cardinal Hollerich said that while different pastoral approaches may exist in local churches, particularly in non-ordained ministries, any developments must remain in communion with the universal Church. “It should always be done in dialogue with the Bishop of Rome, who is in charge of unity, and it should be well thought out. It should not be rushed just for doing it,” he said. And he acknowledged the fact that there can be “different speeds in the local churches, because it's part of the culture and the place women have in that culture.” He distinguished this from ordained ministry, which he said requires universal consensus to avoid division. Finally, reflecting on pastoral concerns expressed by younger generations, he said, “I feel that, not just women who have studied theology, but when I am with young people, I can feel that many of the girls of our youth are sad because they feel that they are not completely recognised by the Church. “ “And that,” he concluded, “makes me sad as a pastor.”