Catholic Synod Concludes with Unresolved Debate on Women's Ordination

Despite calls for reform, the Vatican remains divided on allowing women into ordained ministry, with discussions set to continue.

The Catholic Church's recent synod in Rome ended without a decision on ordaining women, leaving the topic open for future consideration.
While the synod addressed the need for increased lay participation, it avoided major reforms like women's ordination and celibacy changes.
Pope Francis acknowledged the synod's conclusions but refrained from issuing a separate apostolic letter, making the decisions immediately effective.
Despite frustration among some participants, the synod's final document leaves the possibility of women serving as deacons open for further examination.
German bishops expressed cautious optimism, noting that the synod's outcomes align with some of their reform goals, including more lay involvement.