Things are bad for the Catholic Church if the Democratic Party in the USA brings more hope and joy to people – especially women – than Pope Francis.
Kamala Harris, the smart and articulate candidate for the US presidency, wowed her audience with her acceptance speech on Thursday (August 22) at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. She spoke of “not backing down” and promised to “forge a new path forward” because “the future is always worth fighting for.”
Meanwhile, Francis, although a crowd favorite himself, is faced with a confusing labor instrument for the second session of its synod on synodality. The document, a working agenda for the bishops, priests, religious and Catholic laity meeting in Rome from October 2 to 27, contains extensive mention of the role of women but says the question of female deacons will be left to the unnamed members of “Study Group 5.”
It’s worth noting that Francis said a resounding “no” to the idea of female deacons in his CBS television interview with Norah O’Donnell in May. His “not now, never” statement, seemingly based on a long-disputed interpretation of history, removed one of the most frequently asked demands of Catholics around the world from the local hearings that began the synod three years ago.
The reintroduction of the diaconate would integrate women into the hierarchy. labor instrument states: “In a synodal Church, the responsibility of the bishop, the college of bishops and the Roman Pontiff to make decisions is inalienable, since it is rooted in the hierarchical structure of the Church established by Christ.”
Despite all the talk about involving women in decision-making, the door to real participation remains closed.
Although the paragraph in question strongly defines and defends the need for “consultation” and even proposes a change to the Code of Canon Law, it is nevertheless a matter of judgment by each and decision by the hierarchy. Since women cannot exceed the limits of the hierarchy, they cannot be included in the leadership either.
And therein lies the root of the problem. If Francis does not see that he can allow the sacramental ordination of women as deacons, which several of his predecessors and councils have approved over the years, then all the talk about the inclusion of women in decision-making will be in vain.
To say that women may participate while the leadership function remains reserved for the ordained robs women of any enthusiasm and also any interest in a synodal discussion.
Is it possible that Francis has something else in mind? He is, after all, a man of surprises. In his television interview he suggested that women could be ordained to the “diaconate” without ordination, but that would be a disaster waiting to happen, because it would require him to declare that women cannot be ordained because they are not made in the image and likeness of Christ.
This brings us back to the Democratic National Convention and to Kamala Harris, who vigorously defended the rights and dignity of all people.
For all its inclusiveness, one image stands out in particular as one that most movingly underlines the value of human beings, the miracle of family life, and the possibility of a joyful, hopeful future for all, including women: When the slightly disabled son of vice presidential candidate Tim Walz stood there crying and clapping as Walz accepted the nomination and shouted, “That’s my father!”, no one in the family box asked him to sit down.
The next evening, Kamala Harris took the stage. She repeated Francis’ commitment to “All,” but her most important message was: “Forward.”
If only the Pope would accept it.
