Vatican panel rejects women deacons again
The Vatican released a synthesis on Dec. 4, 2025 from a second study commission led by Cardinal Giuseppe Petrocchi concluding women should not be ordained as deacons, while suggesting creation of new lay ministries and leaving room for further study. The document, which unusually included members’ votes on theological questions, follows Pope Francis’s 2016 and 2020 directives to examine historical and doctrinal issues, and drew criticism from U.S.-based advocacy groups that want ministerial recognition for women.
📌 Key Facts
- Vatican published a synthesis of the commission’s findings and recorded votes on Dec. 4, 2025
- Commission led by Cardinal Giuseppe Petrocchi concluded current research “rules out” admitting women to the sacramental diaconate
- Report proposes new lay ministries for women and leaves the door open to further study
📊 Relevant Data
68% of U.S. Catholics support allowing women to become deacons, while 29% oppose it.
Most U.S. Catholics Say They Want the Church To Be 'More Inclusive' — Pew Research Center
75% of White non-Hispanic U.S. Catholics support women as deacons, compared to 58% of Hispanic U.S. Catholics.
Most U.S. Catholics Say They Want the Church To Be 'More Inclusive' — Pew Research Center
58% of female U.S. Catholics say women do not have enough influence in the church, compared to 44% of male U.S. Catholics.
Most U.S. Catholics Say They Want the Church To Be 'More Inclusive' — Pew Research Center
The global number of Catholic priests decreased by 734 to 406,996 from 2022 to 2023, while the Catholic population increased by 1.15% to 1.406 billion.
New Church statistics reveal growing Catholic population, fewer priests and religious — Vatican News
The proportion of Catholic parishes led by women has doubled from 3.6 percent to 7.6 percent.
The Sequential Rise of Female Religious Leadership — Sociological Science
In the U.S., Catholics are 54% White non-Hispanic, 36% Hispanic, 4% Asian, and 2% Black, with Hispanics comprising a growing share of the Catholic population.
10 facts about U.S. Catholics — Pew Research Center