Vatican Commission Votes Against Ordaining Women as Deacons While Urging Further Study

Vatican City, 5 December 2025 — A Vatican commission studying the possibility of ordaining women as deacons in the Catholic Church has voted against admitting women to the diaconate understood as a degree of the sacrament of Holy Orders, concluding that current historical and theological research does not support such a change, but also recommending continued examination of women’s roles in non-ordained ministries. 

The commission, established by Pope Francis in 2020 and continued under the leadership of Cardinal Giuseppe Petrocchi, Archbishop Emeritus of L’Aquila, reported its findings to Pope Leo XIV, who authorised the publication of a synthesis of the work. Members voted on several theological statements, concluding that, as matters stand, there is insufficient basis to proceed with ordaining women as deacons, while also expressing hope that women’s access to other ministries could be broadened.

Commission members noted that theological opinions remain divided on the nature and sacramental identity of the diaconate and its relation to Holy Orders. The report reflected an “intense dialectic” between two schools of thought: one that would consider a female diaconate within broader ministry and another that emphasised traditional understandings of ordained ministry, especially in light of the Church’s sacramental theology. 

While the decision is viewed as a setback by advocates for expanding ministerial roles for women, the commission’s call for further study leaves open the possibility of future theological discussion. Observers say the outcome underlines the complexity of the issue, which has been debated within Church bodies for nearly a decade and continues to resonate with wider conversations about ministry, gender and ecclesial service.

Source and Image Credits : National Catholic Reporter