Many church fathers write about this. So that women tend to get excluded from those functions, [though] they do have some roles, [such] as joining a group called the widows or deaconesses in the ...

It is official recognition of roles already performed by women in some Catholic services, especially in Western countries. The Pope said women were making a "precious contribution" to the Church.

Pope Francis concluded the Synod of Bishops on Sunday, leaving the role of women in the Church unresolved. The final document offered no steps toward greater equity, with issues such as female ...

Certainly the most prominent among these in the ancient church was Mary Magdalene ... and evidence of women's early leadership roles was erased or suppressed. This erasure has taken many forms.

but that its focus would be on discussing the role of women in the church — not in the diaconate, or the office of deacon. He added that while working with women in previous pastoral roles ...

but that its focus would be on discussing the role of women in the church — not in the diaconate. He added that while working with women in previous pastoral roles, “most did not ask for or ...