In his greeting to the Chaldean Church, the Pope recognized the apostolic roots of the Chaldean Church, which represents “an ancient and fruitful tradition, which is intimately linked to the places of salvation’s origin." It is a historic tradition that

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, S.J., Archbishop of Luxembourg and General Relator for the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (the Synod on Synodality), has described the publication of the Synod Study Group report on women’s participation as an important step forward, while stressing that any future development in ordained ministry requires broad ecclesial consensus.

The report, produced by Study Group No. 5 on “Women’s participation in the life and leadership of the Church,” was recently issued by the General Secretariat of the Synod as part of the post-synodal reflection process.

Speaking previously at the University of Bonn, Hollerich was quoted as saying: “I cannot imagine, in the long term, how a Church can survive, if half of the People of God suffer because they have no access to ordained ministry.”

In an interview with Vatican News, the Cardinal clarified that the remark referred specifically to discussion on the possible ordination of women as deacons and to a long-term perspective.