Professor Tina Beattie

” … in violation of all we were told about the synodal process, the Instrumentum Laboris for this year’s synod excludes discussion of ordaining women to the diaconate.”

This comes from retired Professor of Theology, Tina Beattie – reacting strongly against the July 2024 Instrumentum Laboris – or preparatory working document – for the 2nd and last session of the Synod on Synodality in Rome in October.

“And so, the process goes on—delays, deferrals, further reflections, unpublished reports—while the platitudinous waffle about women’s charisms and gifts drones on year after year.”

Arguing against the excuse of divided opinion in the church for the delay on women deacons Professor Beattie argues that while the African church is sometimes cited as a locus of opposition to the ordaining of women to the diaconate she herself has experience of changing opinion there, especially among women theologians.

“I no longer have the slightest interest in the chunterings of a celibate male hierarchy when it comes to women. In the nearly 40 years since I was received into the Church, I have seen little if any substantial change in the role of women or in clerical attitudes towards us. I am no longer interested in the Vatican and its Synods, commissions and reports. Maybe that is a kind of despair, but it allows me to keep my sanity as well as my faith.”

Tina Beattie’s complete article can be read here.