Pope calls for a commission to study the possibility of women deacons

VATICAN CITY – During an audience with some 900 women religious belonging to the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) on 12 May 2016 Pope Francis said it would be good to establish a commission to study if it is possible to have female deacons.

Responding off-the-cuff to the sisters’ questions, Francis said it would be “useful to have a commission that clarifies well” the practice of the early Church in this regard. “It’s a page that is somewhat obscure,” noted the Pope, saying that to “constitute an official commission could be a way to answer these questions.”

Moreover, Francis underscored, “to clarify this point would do good to the Church.”

“I will do this. I accept,” he said to the Sisters. “It seems to me useful to have a commission that clarifies this role.” – Zenit