The sister spoke in response to a question from a female Catholic journalist who asked her to describe ways that women can “take on meaningful leadership and governance roles that don’t necessarily have to do with ordination.”
“I think one of the calls from this synod is to share the possibilities that are open to women for governance, leadership roles within the Church, and there are many good practices from all around the world,” she said. “But we as Catholics are very ignorant of the possibilities that are there.”
As a synod delegate, Barron will have the opportunity to meet with the synod study group that is focused on the subject of women deacons on Oct. 18 to provide her input for them to consider on this topic.
Archbishop Gintaras Grušas, another synod delegate who spoke at the press conference, pointed out that if any Catholics around the world would also like to submit their input to any of the 10 study groups established by the pope, they can send their contributions, observations, and proposals to the General Secretariat of the Synod, who has promised to collect and pass on such materials to the groups concerned.
After hearing Barron’s comments, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, the archbishop of Bombay and a member of the Council of Cardinals established to advise Pope Francis, intervened to add that the conversation on the women’s diaconate “has been taken off and given to part of a study group which is studying theological questions.”
“So it will not be discussed at the synod,” Gracias underlined at the synod press conference.
“I may mention here also that I am a member of the Council of Cardinals, and for the last three meetings which we’ve had with the Holy Father, the Council of Cardinals, there’s been one session devoted entirely to the role of women in the Church — theological concerns, pastoral concerns, canonical concerns,” Gracias said.
“So it’s a matter of great importance, concern. And the Holy Father has personally taken an interest in this,” the cardinal added.
The possibility of allowing Catholic women to become permanent deacons has been a persistent issue in Francis’ pontificate. And while the pope has on multiple occasions indicated his willingness to study the issue, especially the historic figure of the deaconess in the early Church, he has also given a firm response that “deacons with holy orders” is not a possibility for women.
“Women are of great service as women, not as ministers, as ministers in this regard, within the holy orders,” he told CBS News anchor Norah O’Donnell during an appearance on the program “60 Minutes” in May.
