Cardinal Walter Kasper, a conservative voice in the Vatican – and often called ‘the pope’s theologian’ – has publicly supported the inclusion of women deacons in the Catholic Church.
Speaking to the German catholic journal Communio, Kasper noted that after considerable thought, he believes it “theologically possible and pastorally sensible” for women to be admitted to the permanent diaconate.
“Each local church would be free to decide whether it wants to make use of this possibility or not” he added, referring to national bishops’ conferences.
According to Kasper, the argument favouring ordaining women as deacons is that the Western and Eastern churches were familiar with this ministry in the early centuries.
“The fact that – as far as I know – the ordination forms for deacons and deaconesses were the same, also speaks against this” Kasper added.
Question “remains open”
Kasper’s statement comes as the Catholic Church faces renewed debates over the role of women, particularly following the recently concluded Synod on Synodality.
Cardinal Kasper’s position has surprised some observers, as he has recently adopted a more conservative stance. He is particularly critical of Germany’s Synodal Path, a local reform process seeking structural and doctrinal changes within the Church.
The synod did not make a definitive decision on women deacons but acknowledged that the question “remains open”. Many had expected Pope Francis and the bishops to explore the topic more thoroughly, but a binding stance was not reached.
Massimo Faggioli, a theologian at Villanova University, suggested that Kasper’s comments reflect a growing realisation within the Church that the role of women in ministry is a central issue for its future.
Open for discussion
Meanwhile, Cardinal Victor Fernández, head of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, announced that the question of women deacons will undergo more intensive study.
Speaking to synod members, Fernández clarified that, while Pope Francis believes the topic is not yet “mature”, it remains open for discussion.
The cardinal noted that many women seek to serve and lead in the Church according to their charisms rather than through ordination, suggesting that a nuanced approach to women’s roles could strengthen community leadership.
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