Pope Francis has recently spoken out to reaffirm the Catholic Church’s long-standing tradition of reserving holy orders for men.
This statement came during an interview marking the recent release of “You Are Not Alone: Challenges, Answers, Hopes,” a book that delves into various contemporary issues facing the Church.
In his dialogue with the authors, Pope Francis addressed the controversial topic of female ordination, describing it as a “theological problem.”
He pointed out that other denominations, such as the Lutherans, who ordain women and allow clergy to marry, are still facing challenges in increasing church attendance. This highlights that the issue is more complex and cultural than it may appear at first glance.
CNA reported Pope Francis said “Holy orders is reserved for men” and “the fact that the woman does not access ministerial life is not a deprivation,” reiterating his belief in the unique and irreplaceable role that women play, drawing parallels between their contributions and those of the Virgin Mary.
He expressed his concern that the current catechesis may be misrepresenting these roles, leading to misunderstandings about the Church’s teachings.
During his papacy, Pope Francis has consistently engaged in discussions and research on the topic of women in the Church, establishing commissions to study the historical role of female deacons in 2016 and 2020.
However, his current stance remains clear: holy orders are reserved for men.
