Overview
- The Vatican Press Office released a summary of the commission’s findings, recommending no admission of women to the diaconate at this time and describing the stance as non-definitive.
- The report describes two irreconcilable theological positions on the diaconate, noting that opponents of a female diaconate prevail for now.
- The commission, chaired by Cardinal Giuseppe Petrocchi, worked in secrecy and sent its conclusions to Pope Leo XIV on Sept. 18, shortly before his book interview signaled no plan to change policy.
- The document incorporates arguments surfaced during the 2024 Synod of Bishops, where the proposal met strong clerical resistance.
- The synthesis raises the prospect of creating new ministries for women without detailing structure or scope, and the Vatican unusually disclosed member vote tallies on specific questions.