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The Catholic Church's Boys Club Could Open Its Doors To Women

Pope Francis will organize a study to see if women can become deacons in the Catholic Church. This would be a big move from an all-male clergy.

The Catholic Church's Boys Club Could Open Its Doors To Women
Getty Images / Carl Court
SMS

The newest advocate for women empowerment just might be the Catholic Church. 

Pope Francis said he will organize a commission to study the possibility of women becoming deacons in the church. 

Currently, only men can become ordained ministers, like deacons, priests or bishops, but supporters of women filling these roles argue there were women leaders in the early church.

Francis has already allowed more female participation in the church — such as when he allowed women to take part in a foot-washing ritual that celebrates Holy Thursday

The pope's decision to encourage this study reaffirms his more open views on current issues compared to previous popes. 

Former Pope John Paul II cited the 12 male disciples that followed Jesus as a reason why women shouldn't become priests. 

But that doesn't mean female priests don't still preach to Catholics. Roman Catholic Womenpriests — a group the Catholic Church doesn't recognize — has ordained more than 100 women into the role. All of those women have been automatically excommunicated from the church. 

This video includes clips from the VaticanNJ.comWJLACatholic Diocese of Lincoln and images from Getty Images, the White HouseThe Synaxis of the holy and the most praiseworthy Twelve ApostlesSaint Brigid of Ireland and Peter Carapetian