Two Synod study groups tackled women and LGBTQ Catholics. One closed the door; the other opened a path.

Study Group 5 on Women started badly: The question of Women priests was immediately removed from its remit.

The question of Women deacons was fearfully addressed as Pope Francis made it clear in a public interview that he was opposed, even while Study Group 5 was still working on the issue!

So it was no surprise that the issue of women deacons was regarded as “not mature”.

Vocations cast aside

The final report from Study Group 5 lamely referred to the “discomfort” some women felt at being excluded from all ordained ministries – ignoring the great pain and sadness of women whose vocations were thus casually discarded by the patriarchy.

No women with vocations to ordained ministries were included in the report.

With 74 pages the Study Group 5 report was more like a litany listing as many women as they could think of, but offering no progress for women seeking equality in a very clerical patriarchal church.

A different approach

In stark contrast, Study Group 9 used the principle of pastorality together with the practice of conversations in the spirit to arrange two seminars where participants shared reflections on an initial draft.

Study Group 9 drew inspiration from a central biblical image: the events narrated in chapters 10-15 of the Acts of the Apostles.

Staying true to synodality, Study Group 9 included the testimonies of two LGBTQ persons based on their concrete situations, in a process of rereading and discernment.

Study Group 9 in its excellent 32 page report did not conclude with a final pronouncement, but rather with some pathways for ethical and theological discernment, as well as some questions for the continuation of the synodal journey.

Method, in the end, was what set the two groups apart – which raises a harder question.

What might have been

What might have happened if Study Group 5 (Women) had adopted the “principle of pastorality” and adopted a truly synodal approach?

Would the voices of women with vocations to ordination have been heard as coming from the Holy Spirit?

Or would the patriarchal hierarchy have moved quickly to stamp out any such hope?

Jesus treated women as equals. So should our church.

• Colm Holmes is Chair of We are Church International.