“I am convinced that we cannot wait to take steps forward for the empowerment of women in the church” by distinguishing what requires ordination and what does not, Cardinal Fernández told about 100 synod members.

The 18 cardinals who head Vatican offices will find a little less in their pay envelopes starting Nov. 1.

Recognizing the doctrinal authority of bishops’ conferences does not mean allowing them to reject the teaching authority of the pope, said the head of the Vatican Dicastery for Bishops.

The Vatican and the Chinese government are renewing their agreement on the appointment of bishops for four years.

“We know that the Holy Father has expressed that at this time the issue of the female diaconate is not mature and has asked that we not entertain this possibility for now,” Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández told the synod Oct. 21.

Father Marcelo Pérez, an Indigenous Tzotzil priest and peace activist, was murdered after celebrating Sunday Mass in Mexico's southern Chiapas state.