Theologian calls for access to the Seven Sacraments for men and women

Theologian: Church must support both genders

Gabriele Eder-Cakl heads the Austrian Pastoral Institute in Vienna and advocates for gender equality in the Church. In an interview, the theologian explains why she believes that the women's diaconate will soon be possible.

The theologian Gabriele Eder-Cakl heads the Austrian Pastoral Institute in Vienna. This is a specialist office of the Austrian Bishops' Conference for the topics of pastoral care, catechesis and evangelization. As the contact person for the synodal process in her home diocese of Linz, Eder-Cakl was involved with the world synod from the beginning. At the beginning of October, the director of the Pastoral Institute took part in a meeting of laypeople in Rome, whose demands were also incorporated into an open letter to the World Synod. She talks about this in an interview with katholisch.de and also about her hope for the role of women in the Church.

Question: Ms. Eder-Cakl, how do you experience the process of the World Synod in Rome?

Eder-Cakl: I am happy to be part of this Church process because I have the feeling that something is really moving. Now we sit down together and openly discuss how being a Christian can work today. The synod participants exchange pastoral experiences with each other and with the Pope. This means they look closely at what the questions and signs of the times are. This is an extremely important process. Also listening to each other. I really believe that this alone will change something. The Church thus places itself in different pastoral situations. A lot of things collide. And the good thing about it is that the Church can endure it. I am happy about this synodal process. At the beginning of the World Synod I was at a meeting of lay theologians from all over the world in Rome. There we discussed a lot about the challenges facing the Church today. How the participation of all believers in the Church can be realized and how clericalism can be avoided were crucial questions. We then sent all of our observations and demands to the synod participants in an open letter. We call for more participation in the Church in the form of shared responsibility, shared decision-making and mutual empowerment.

Question: What is your wish regarding the role of women in the Church?

Eder-Cakl: For years, as a woman and as a leader, I have been committed to gender equality at all levels of the Church and in society. I also bring this topic up again and again to the Austrian Bishops' Conference. There is already a long tradition of dialogue between women, religious communities and Church leaders. I think we are on the right track together. I always consciously say: Gender equality is not a Central European phenomenon, but a global issue. Gender equality is not a privilege, not a special status, but a fundamental right for everyone. It is about the equality of women in society, in social policy, in the field of education and also in terms of legal status. Above all, it is about the dignity of women. Also when it comes to access to the sacramental office.

Question: What specifically do you demand for women in the Church?

Eder-Cakl: It's very simple: justice is reflected in basic access to all seven sacraments for everyone. It's not just a few feminists who are demanding this. I talk to women a lot and I keep hearing the same thing: It's important to women that they have access to the three-tier office. The diaconate for women is not just a contemporary phenomenon, but a clear sign of the times that is and should be taken seriously. I assume that the Church would like to open this office to us women. The topic of access for women to the diaconate can also be found in the Vatican working paper of the World Synod "Instrumentum laboris". The general relator of the synod, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, also mentioned the women's diaconate as a topic of the world synod. It is about valuing the charisms and participation of everyone in the Church. Because the hope is that there will be a real togetherness, in the spirit of the synod, i.e. real participation for everyone in the mission.

Question: Isn't it just cosmetic that this issue is being dealt with at the World Synod and then nothing will change? What do you get from participants in the World Synod in this regard?

Eder-Cakl: I don't think it's just cosmetic how the issue of women is being discussed at the World Synod. It may be frustrating for some that it has taken so long to make concrete decisions, for example regarding access to office for women. I don't know exactly what exactly is being discussed at the tables there. But I assume that the topic will be taken seriously - also based on the official information that is passed on by individual synod participants in the media. The position and role of women in the Church is being intensively discussed at the World Synod.

Question: Do you think that concrete results for the women's diaconate will actually be on the table at the end of the World Synod?

Eder-Cakl: Yes, I assume that in October 2024, i.e. towards the end of the second part of the World Synod, there will be concrete decisions regarding women's access to the diaconate. There's no getting around it anymore. The dioceses will probably have something to reflect on in the phases in between. The women's issue in its entirety is now central to the future of the entire universal Church.

“Therefore, in the spirit of Jesus, the Church must also advocate for both genders. I am pleased that the Church is no longer shirking it, but is seriously dealing with it and talking about it, for example at the World Synod.”— Quote: Gabriele Eder-Cakl

Question: You were not invited to take part in the World Synod in Rome. Did that offend you?

Eder-Cakl: Not every theologian can be there. I will definitely be present at the World Synod in my thoughts and prayers. I am glad that a pastoral theologian from Austria is also taking part. The theologian Klara-Antonia Csiszar takes the Western and Eastern European context into account. She speaks several languages fluently and is very good theologically. I think it is wonderful that women are taking part in the World Synod. It's a good start. But of course the picture of the participants in the World Synod could be even more colorful. Also in terms of age. Many of the participants are older. This could also be changed, for example, by inviting younger participants. I am grateful that the Curia officer and religious Sister Nathalie Becquart is there. For me she is the chief woman of the synod. I really appreciate her because she really advocates for gender equality in the Vatican and in the Church. You and the Pope are moving forward step by step. This is also noticeable in Vatican committees, which are now increasingly made up of men and women, often on an equal basis. Something is happening in Rome, I am confident.

Question: What is your goal, your vision for the Church of tomorrow?

Eder-Cakl: The participation and participation of women in the Church must be taken seriously. I would like to repeat it again: access to the seven sacraments for everyone. I no longer understand, and young people understand even less, why there is still such a difference between the sexes today. It is no longer justifiable It is often argued: Jesus can only be represented by a man. But then the consequence would also have to be: Jesus only saved men. That would be the logic of this argument. But that's not true either. So you shouldn't base something like this on gender. I believe that the Church has the task of working in the world in the spirit of Jesus, for justice, for human dignity, for responsibility for creation. Therefore, in the spirit of Jesus, the Church must also advocate for both genders. I am pleased that the Church is no longer shirking it, but is seriously addressing it and talking about it, for example at the World Synod. I am happy and grateful about that. Honest gender equality would help us to live more credibly in this world as Christians tomorrow.

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