[circlecity]

“The Pope did not say he intends to introduce the ordination of female deacons, and even less did he talk about the ordination of women as priests.”

Then why establish a commission to study a question that has been well resolved by scripture and tradition for 2000 years?

[SleepySimon]

There is very little doubt that there were female deacons in the early church. (The Eastern Orthodox kept them around even longer than the western churches.) That custom presumably fell away for a reason. Certain clerical customs of the church - clerical celibacy for example - have changed over time. A commission to study the issue of female deacons and determine if they are needed, useful, or wanted at this time seems appropriate.

[Salvation]

**Then why establish a commission to study a question that has been well resolved by scripture and tradition for 2000 years? **

Exactly!

[AustinBill]

The Papal spin doctors do keep busy.