In March 2026, the Vatican’s doctrine office released its final report on women’s participation in the life and leadership of the Catholic Church. The report brings to a close the two-year work of Study Group 5, which, as part of the Synod on Synodality, was tasked with studying women’s ministries and leadership. In this special roundtable conversation, editors at America magazine discuss the report’s content and proposals, and ask if the document changes the status quo for women in the Catholic Church.
Synod on Synodality
Posted inFaith and Reason
Where the women deacons question stands at the Vatican
Plus: The first full English translation of the ‘Petrocchi Commission’ report on women deacons.
Posted inVatican Dispatch
Why the Jesuits are going all in on training Catholics for synodality
The Society of Jesus has started an ambitious transcontinental project linked to synodality. Its aim is to form diocesan priests, women and men religious and lay people in countries across the globe to accompany the discernment processes in the synodal journey of local churches.
Posted inVatican Dispatch
The final synod report on women: what it says, what it means and what’s next
The report denounces “male chauvinism” and “clericalism,” making the case that in his brief pontificate, Pope Leo XIV has continued down Francis’ path of appointing women to positions of leadership in the Curia.
Posted inNews
Final synod report on women’s leadership does not address female diaconate
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 Church governance and leadership in roles not including ordained ministry.
Posted inNews
First synod final reports published: on digital culture and seminary formation
The first report contains recommendations on navigating the Church’s presence in digital spaces; the second focuses on guidelines for the formation of future priests and includes a call for more women to play a role.
Posted inNews
German bishops’ conference elects proponent of controversial Synodal Way as president
Bishop Wilmer has supported Germany’s controversial Synodal Way reforms, including blessings for same-sex couples and expanded roles for women.
Posted inVatican Dispatch
Pope Leo says he will hold consistories with the College of Cardinals every year
Leo XIV clearly does not intend to go it alone as pope.
Posted inVatican Dispatch
Vatican report says no to ordaining women deacons—for now
“The purely historical perspective does not allow us to arrive at any definitive certainty,” a Vatican report concluded. “In the final analysis, the question must be decided on the doctrinal level.”
Posted inVatican Dispatch
What the synod interim reports said about women
This week’s interim reports from the synod’s study groups, tasked with examining controversial issues that arose at the synod and required deeper study, provide some new details about what the role of women in a synodal church may look like.