When the 2024 Synod on Synodality issued its final document, our Catholic parish council asked my husband and me, as people who had followed it closely, what had changed.

We explained that the synodal documents made it obvious a conservative minority had blocked progress.

Nonetheless, “co-responsibility” and leadership roles for women were officially recommended. We added that Study Group 5, which is examining “specific ministerial forms” (including the restoration of women deacons), would continue its work.

The unofficial decision

However, the recent official “no” to women deacons was not delivered by Study Group 5.

That “hot topic” had secretly been passed to another insider Vatican commission established in 2020. Their conclusion is that women are to be offered only the ministerial roles they already widely perform: reader and catechist.

It is a slap in the face to the many communities across all continents that demand sacramental roles for women. As Thomas O’Loughlin said in his earlier piece, Synodality—just a buzzword?, if synodality is not making basic changes in the way we do things, it is not happening.

A village near Oxford

There is a thatched village west of Oxford, England, served by a woman priest named Jo. She serves five ancient village churches and works tirelessly to encourage people back to Jesus.

She holds regular bonfires for young families, has introduced an annual beer festival in one of the churches, leads daily Zoom prayers, and recently initiated a “Blue Christmas” service for those struggling with grief. Her inspiring sermons are rooted in daily life, and she cries openly in church in response to suffering and death.

A baptism service

I recently attended a baptism she conducted as part of a regular communion service. She welcomed the relatives, taking care to explain what would happen and why.

The child was old enough to be concerned about being the center of attention and how the water would be used. Jo, who has three children of her own, agreed with the child that she would use only the tiniest amount of water.

She ensured the child’s young cousins could see what was happening and involved them in lighting the candle. The baptism was a beautiful, consensual moment. Afterward, many of the relatives were eager to tell me, a stranger, how much they had enjoyed the service.

Spotting Synodality

When I hear of a Roman Catholic community where a woman is welcomed as a priest, I shall know that synodality has arrived. But until I hear of a pope fulfilling his basic calling—to love his woman neighbor and regard men and women without difference—I shall treat talk about “synodality” not just as a buzzword, but as a word intended to suppress the voice of the Spirit.

• Penelope Middelboe is a writer and journalist who has articles for publications such as The Tablet, The Irish Catholic, and The Synodal Times. Her work often explores themes related to faith, social issues, and history. She is a co-founder and former CEO of Root & Branch. Penelope and her husband Jon Rosebank research and produce History Café podcast.