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 Read more
The Vatican announced on October that there is currently no basis for ordaining women deacons. The announcement came from Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, head of the Vatican’s Doctrine Office. It came after a year-long study by a specially appointed unnamed synod group. “We have concluded that there is still no room for a positive decision Read more
The Vatican has affirmed that transgender individuals are eligible to participate as godparents and witnesses in Roman Catholic sacraments of baptism and marriage, and they can be baptised. The Vatican’s document, signed by Pope Francis and Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, was published on the Holy See’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith website on Read more
Liberal and conservative Catholics who anticipate significant shifts in Catholic teaching and practice from the upcoming session of the Synod of Bishops are likely to be let down. The comments come from the Vatican’s new doctrinal chief, Cardinal Victor Fernández. However, he is not ruling out the possibility of future change. Fernández says that those Read more
Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, the newly appointed head of the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF), has introduced a “democratic system” for addressing queries and complaints within the department. This change reflects a departure from his previous practice of responding directly through social media channels such as Facebook. “I was used to Read more