But Synod Not Likely to Offer Recommendations : Bishops Seek Bigger Role for Women in Church

The determination to forge a greater role for women within the Roman Catholic Church short of actual ordination is emerging as a central theme at an international synod of bishops here. But American bishops said Friday that the monthlong deliberations are not likely to produce any specific recommendations for Pope John Paul II to pursue in this direction.

“No theme has been more frequently mentioned in this synod than that of women and their role in church and society,” Archbishop John L. May of St. Louis said.

May, who is president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and one of six American prelates taking part in the congress to examine the role of the laity within the church, added that “there is a clear consensus that the church must do everything in its power to put an end to unjust discrimination against women in its own structures and practices and also in the structures and practices of society.”

May spoke with reporters Friday, along with Bishops Anthony Bevilacqua of Pittsburgh and Stanley J. Ott of Baton Rouge, La.

The synod has heard formal presentations from about two-thirds of about 230 bishops from around the world. Once all the bishops have spoken, group discussions will begin in 12 different language groups with the participation of about 60 lay auditors. By the end of the month, the synod, an advisory council without decision-making authority, will present a series of recommendations to the Pope.

Although the synod seems certain to underscore its concern for greater participation by women, the American bishops said they see no concrete proposals emerging from the session.

“This is a world synod,” May said. “It doesn’t get into specifics by its very nature.”

The American bishops said they had been impressed by the support for an enhanced role for women.

May said, “Frankly, it has amazed me. . . . As one bishop said this morning, ‘This concern can no longer be considered an American aberration.’ ”

The American prelates emphasized, however, that ordination of women is not a topic of synod debate. John Paul has ruled it out as recently as a month ago on his visit to the United States.

“The church’s authentic teaching that it cannot ordain women to the priesthood is clear and not open to change,” the American bishops said in a statement read by May. “Short of that, however, the sense of the synod is that we should examine other roles and functions in the church and move ahead vigorously--as in fact has been happening in recent years--to open up as many of these as is deemed possible to women.”

Addressing the synod last week on behalf of the U.S. church, Archibishop Rembert G. Weakland, of Milwaukee, emphasized “the pain and frustration” many women feel toward their church.

He urged the synod to recommend sweeping reforms that would allow women to perform “all liturgical roles short of ordination.”