ROME -- Pope Francis has announced that many of the key issues from the Synod will not be voted on at the October 2024 Synod. Instead they will be handed over to 10 Study Groups who will not report until late in 2025.

 So while we were told that “What affects all should be decided by all”, this has now been translated into “What affects all will be decided by the Curia”.

 The issue of Women in Ministry has been discussed for many decades. It was an important issue for all continents in the current Synod. There have been at least 4 Reports on the Diaconate for Women which have not been published. Now the Synod Office and the Curia will “select” the members of these Study Groups. Will any women with a sense of vocation to ordained ministry  be included in these Study Groups? Will women theologians feature or will male clerics dominate all Study Groups? Does Synodality mean the curia still decides?

 Following the gospel of Jesus, the Catholic Church should be a symbol for equality – for Laity, for Women, for LGBTQ+, for Married People. Instead this is totally undermined by the Curia who are determined to hold onto their patriarchal power and priviliges. 

 However equality is seen as a core Christian message by communities around the world. It is in those communities that the reforms so important to our church are spreading.