The Tablet: Amazon group says celibacy rule will be lifted

The Tablet: Amazon group says celibacy rule will be lifted

By James Roberts and Christa Pongratz-Lippitt

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Responses to the release of Pope Francis’ exhortation on the Amazon Synod, Querida Amazonia, were mostly divided between those whose hopes for major announcements on the ordination of married priests and women deacons in the region were disappointed, and those whose fears of such announcements were not realised.

Asked if he could understand those women who were not satisfied with this “no”, Woelki said he was aware that the yardsticks of modern society clashed “painfully” with those of the Church. “We need more women in leading positions in the Church who can then also supervise priests,” he said. “But according to Christ’s will, we have no mandate or leverage to ordain women.” The Women’s Ordination Conference, established in 1975, accused the Pope of “wilfully turning his back on the calls of women for recognition of the sacramental ministries they offer the people of the Amazon and the global Church.”