Catholic Church Divided on Women Deacons, LGBT Inclusion Ahead of Synod of Bishops

A Divided Church

The Catholic Church remains divided on the issue of women deacons, according to a Vatican document released on Tuesday, July 9th. This comes just weeks after Pope Francis ruled out any immediate change on the matter.

The document, titled "Instrumentum laboris," was prepared for the upcoming Synod of Bishops, a gathering of bishops from around the world to discuss the future of the Church. While some local churches advocate for women's ordination as deacons, others remain firmly opposed.

Despite the lack of consensus on women deacons, the document emphasizes the need to "give fuller recognition" to women within the Church. It acknowledges that women, by virtue of their baptism, hold equal standing with men.

The document also touches on the issue of LGBT inclusion, calling for greater inclusivity within the Church. It acknowledges the need to address the concerns of those who feel excluded or marginalized due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

However, the document avoids any specific references to LGBT people, a departure from the more open language used in the working document for the previous synod. This shift in tone may reflect the ongoing debate within the Church on how to approach issues related to sexuality and gender.

The upcoming Synod of Bishops will provide a platform for further discussion on these and other critical issues facing the Catholic Church. The final document produced by the synod will offer guidance for the future direction of the Church, including its stance on women's ordination and LGBT inclusion.