In a statement, the ACP highlighted that the equality of women, and in particular calls for their ordination to the diaconate, was one of the biggest issues to emerge in the synodal consultation process around the world.
Pope Francis removed this and other issues from the current synod gathering, asking committees to study them further and report back in 2025.
Meanwhile, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, has said there is currently no basis for ordaining women deacons.
“So now one of the main requests from the synodal process around the world has been taken out of the synod and dismissed by those who hold power, by those who have a vested interest in the status quo,” the priests said, adding that repeated reference to discernment and listening “does not hide the fact that this move undermines the whole [synodal] process”.
Noting that two study groups have already reported to Pope Francis on the issue of women deacons and neither report has been published, the ACP asked if the reports’ arguments against ordination were unconvincing.
“Isn’t transparency a necessary constituent of synodality?” the ACP said, adding that it could understand why so many people are losing faith in synodality as it is being practised in Rome and warning: “Women must not be patronised by promises of other roles.”
Separately, Fr Brendan Hoban, co-founder of the ACP, has said “questions abound, including what exactly Pope Francis is trying to achieve in terms of reform of the Catholic Church”.