In this context, he described the role of women in the Amazonian church as fundamental.
"If we come to the conclusion that there was a diaconate for women in the past, why don't we reintroduce it, just as the permanent diaconate was reintroduced," Steiner said at a press conference in Rome on Saturday, according to the Spanish portal "Religion Digital".
These issues are very controversial in the Church, which is why we must not stop discussing and reflecting on them, Steiner continued.
On the issue of the ordination of women as deacons, he therefore sees the need to deepen some elements, especially on a historical level.
In this context, Steiner noted that the current situation "is very difficult in the Church because there are tensions on these issues".
Steiner went on to say that he "lays his hands on" women who receive a baptismal commission in his archdiocese.
Still much to discuss
The Brazilian cardinal with German roots also recalled the Pope's statement on the question of the ordination of deacons: "It is important to continue discussing, debating and advancing the discussion." There is still a lot to discuss, but "the Church must not be divided".
The 73-year-old cardinal was appointed archbishop of the Amazonian diocese of Manaus in Brazil in 2019.
Pope Francis elevated him to cardinal in 2022 and appointed him a member of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life in the same year.
He comes from southern Brazil, but has German roots.
Steiner is one of the participants in the Synod on Synodality.