Vatican, March 10, 2026

January 26, 2022

The General Secretariat of the Synod publishes today the final report of Study Group No. 5 on The participation of women in the life and government of the Church.

"When talking about the role of women in the life of the Church, we must be aware that it is above all a cultural factor," says the Cardenal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod, and continues: «Indeed, in many parts of the world there are profound cultural challenges that must be recognized and addressed. Too often, the way we live our faith is determined by certain cultural aspects rather than by evangelical values. Our renewed mission is to make the Church a force that embodies the Gospel in cultures, promoting respect for the rights of all and co-responsibility according to each person's vocation. This requires courage, support and patience to introduce gradual changes that preserve ecclesial communion, eliminate discrimination and build communities in which the gifts and charisma of each person, men and women, are valued.

The Report

The final report is made up of three parts. Firstly, a brief reconstruction of the history of Study Group No. 5 and its working method. A second part constitutes the reasoned synthesis of the themes that emerged during the synodal study. This part is the result of listening to the Consultants of the Dicastery, the work of its different instances (Doctrinal Office, Congress, Fair IV), reading the contributions received and numerous testimonies requested by the Dicastery itself.

This part presents a reflection that starts "from below", listening to the experience and contributions of women who exercise responsible roles in the Church, to discern what the Holy Spirit is working and inspiring. Among the key themes are: the recognition that the "feminine question" constitutes an authentic sign of the times, through which it is the Holy Spirit himself who challenges the Church; an attention typical of synodality to the local Churches, with their cultures and their concrete and diversified contexts; a relational approach that values ​​the charismatic dimension of the presence of women in ecclesial life; an analysis of the concrete decisions made by Popes Francis and Leo XIV, whose decision to entrust women with government positions in the Roman Curia represents a model on which the entire Church is called to reflect.

Finally, the third part consists of a large appendix cataloging the enormous material that the Dicastery has received and compiled, organized into six parts: 1) Female figures in the Old and New Testaments; 2) Relevant female figures in the history of the Church; 3) Current testimonies of women who participate in the government of the Church; 4) The Marian Principle and the Petrine Principle. A critical look; 5) Ecclesiastical power; 6) The contribution of Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV on the role of women in the life and direction of the Church.

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Here LINKS the final reports and summaries