ROME (OSV News): The Vatican has published the final report of the synod study group examining women’s participation in the Church, which calls for expanded roles for women in governance and leadership in roles not including ordained ministry.
The 75-page document, released on March 10 in English and Italian, discusses women’s leadership but does not address the possible female diaconate.
As the third of 15 anticipated synod study group reports, it is considered a “working document” that will help form proposals for the Pope Leo XIV to review.
A ‘charismatic path’ for women
The study group calls for “new spaces” for women to lead in evangelisation and administration alongside ordained ministers.
“Alongside the sacramental path and distinct from it, there is also a charismatic path that can be fruitfully pursued to open new spaces of participation for the lay faithful, particularly for women,” it states. “It follows that even in the exercise of governance within a diocese, opportunities of this kind may arise and should be employed.”
Today laywomen have the right to affirm their participation in the mission of the Church not only on the basis of their equal human and Christian dignity but also on the basis of the charisms given by God
The report argues that laywomen have unique charisms from the Holy Spirit that demand recognition.
“Today laywomen have the right to affirm their participation in the mission of the Church not only on the basis of their equal human and Christian dignity but also on the basis of the charisms given by God,” it says.
“A new evangelisation has become urgent,” it adds, “One that depends less exclusively on priestly resources and is enriched by the presence and contributions of women.”
‘New forms of exercising authority’
The synod study group calls for theology and canon law to “explore new forms of exercising authority grounded in the Sacrament of Baptism and distinct from those deriving from Holy Orders, so that adequate canonical forms may be found to make effective the participation of women in roles of leadership within the Church.”
The report says, “There is no reason or impediment that should prevent women from carrying out leadership roles in the Church.” It also recommends a “reformulation of the areas of competence of the ordained ministry,” suggesting that redefining those boundaries “could open the way to recognise new spaces of responsibility for women in the Church.”
There is no reason or impediment that should prevent women from carrying out leadership roles in the Church
Female diaconate not addressed
Notably, the report does not address the specific question of a possible female diaconate, a controversial topic of debate within the Synod on Synodality. During the second session of the synod, Pope Francis reactivated a commission studying women’s access to the diaconate under Giuseppe Cardinal Petrocchi.
In December 2025, that commission stopped short of endorsing female deacons but supported broadening women’s access to instituted ministries such as catechist.
The Virgin Mary as a model
Drawing on Scripture and Church tradition, the report cites both the Virgin Mary and St. Mary Magdalene as paradigms for female authority in the Church.
“Mary is the supreme model of the charismatic dimension. Though she does not belong to the hierarchical structure, she possesses within the Church a unique authority and spiritual fruitfulness,” it states.
The document also highlights that Christ entrusted Mary Magdalene to announce the Resurrection: “The Apostles themselves received this proclamation from her.”
Mary is the supreme model of the charismatic dimension. Though she does not belong to the hierarchical structure, she possesses within the Church a unique authority and spiritual fruitfulness
Pope Leo’s appointments of women to Roman Curia
The report details appointments by Pope Francis and Pope Leo as evidence that women already serve in high Church leadership roles.
It cites Praedicate Evangelium, which allows the possibility for a laywomen to lead a Vatican dicastery “depending on the power of governance and the specific competence and function of the Dicastery or Office in question.”
However, the report notes women in the Roman Curia say “certain attitudes marked by clericalism persist,” and that “women, even in positions of responsibility, sometimes struggle to be involved and listened to on equal footing with male colleagues, particularly in interactions with ordained ministers.”
The study group highlights Pope Leo XIV’s appointments of Trappistine Mother Martha Elizabeth Driscoll and Sister Iuliana Sarosi, a member of the Congregation of the Mother of God, as consultors to the Dicastery for the Clergy, and Cristiana Perrella as president of the Pontifical Insigne Academy of Fine Arts and Letters.
It cites Praedicate Evangelium, which allows the possibility for a laywomen to lead a Vatican dicastery ‘depending on the power of governance and the specific competence and function of the Dicastery or Office in question’
It also cites Pope Leo’s July 2025 remarks: “the role of women in the Church has to continue to develop” and his aim to continue “in the footsteps of Francis, including in appointing women to some leadership roles at different levels in the Church’s life.”
Women in the Bible and Church history
The synod report is structured in three parts: the group’s history, a “synthesis of the themes” from the synodal process, and an appendix.
The appendix covers: women in Scripture, significant women in Church history, contemporary female Church leaders, Marian and Petrine principles, ecclesial authority, and contributions of Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV.
Among the examples of women highlighted by the document are St. Catherine of Siena, St. Joan of Arc, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Maria Montessori, and Servant of God Dorothy Day.
