Militantly modernist German Catholic laity angry to discover their power and influence slowly draining away under new Pontificate. No to female deacons!

German lay people criticize Vatican decision on women's ordination

"Missed Opportunity"

Recently elected for a second term.   She has a habit of crying if she does not get her way

"Second-Class People?" Irme Stetter-Karp, President of the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK), and a reform group see the Vatican's decision against the diaconate for women as a fatal signal. What consequences do they fear for engagement in the Church?

Catholic lay representatives and the reform group "We Are Church" have reacted with irritation and criticism to the Vatican commission's decision on the diaconate for women, calling it a "missed opportunity."

... That the commission, "in the light of Holy Scripture, Tradition, and the Church's Magisterium," considers a "no" to the ordination of women deacons appropriate is "a message of stagnation," said Irme Stetter-Karp, President of the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK), on Thursday in Berlin. "The future cannot begin with this stagnation."

Stetter-Karp added that she finds it "disastrous" that women worldwide still have not been given a positive response to their desire for ordination as deacons: "Looking at our daughters and granddaughters, I ask: Where will the women who will be active in the Catholic Church come from in the future? If women are still being given the signal that they are second-class citizens?"

Signal: Ordination Remains Male

Undoubtedly, the President of the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK) said, the Vatican has been striving for some time to promote women and appoint them to offices.

However, this apparently does not change the fact that Scripture and Tradition are interpreted in such a way that the ordained ministry remains a male domain. "Why women cannot be credible witnesses in this office remains a mystery to me. And to many others, including many theologians."

Thomas Söding, Vice-President of the ZdK, spoke of a "missed opportunity." The Commission drew an "interim conclusion" that did not constructively incorporate the impulses of the World Synod: "In the end, it did not change its own recommendation." It is noteworthy, however, "that the commission is arguing against a 'that's it,'" said Söding.

The report "fairly names" the arguments in favor. The major argument against is based on the premise that Jesus, a man, can only be sacramentally represented by a man. This reasoning, however, is philosophically and theologically weak, "not to mention the legal, social, and psychological aspects." Söding expressed confidence that the debate would continue and added: "Hopefully, no more women will give up in the meantime."

"No final verdict"

"We Are Church" declared that while they welcomed the publication, "the proclaimed 'no to the diaconate for women,' even if it is not intended as a final verdict, is highly questionable from theological, anthropological, and pastoral perspectives." They hope that a discussion on the topic will now resume. arises.

"If the Roman Catholic Church wants to be a diaconal Church—as Pope Francis and, most recently, Pope Leo declared in his exhortation 'Dilexi te'—then the equal and equally responsible participation of women is urgently needed," according to "We Are Church." It is regrettable that so few countries have spoken out on this issue so far. Women have been performing diaconal service in the Church without pay for centuries. The introduction of a diaconate would be the appropriate way to acknowledge this.

The final report of the theological commission on the possibility of ordaining women in the Catholic Church, published on Thursday by the Vatican Press Office, states that a purely historical clarification of the question of what form of diaconate existed in the early Church, The commission stated that it provides "no definitive certainty" for future decisions. Therefore, the question of women's ordination as deacons remains "open for further theological and pastoral exploration." The decision must be made at the level of the Magisterium.

At the same time, the Commission emphasized that, as things stand, women cannot be admitted to the diaconate. The ten-member Diaconate Commission was appointed by Pope Francis.

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