The motions were voted through at the plenary council in Sydney which marks the end of a four year discernment process.
The Church in Australia has agreed a series of landmark reforms on the role of women, a new translation of the Roman Missal and the wider use of the “third rite” of confession.
These were voted through on a final day of voting during the plenary council assembly in Sydney and come at the end of a four year discernment process which has included the participation of 222,000 Catholics from across the country.
Bishops and members of the council agreed that the Church in Australia would “implement” female deacons should the universal law of the Church allow it, and that women will be part of “decision making structures” of governance. Each diocese would commit to finding “new opportunities for women to participate in ministries.”
A plenary council is the highest form of gathering for a local church and final decisions need to be signed off by Pope Francis. The council’s decisions, however, will lead to legislation and decrees that will be binding on the local church.
To continue reading this article, click here.
With thanks to The Tablet and Christopher Lamb, where this article originally appeared.
