Women are being considered to play a critical role in the discernment of candidates for the Catholic priesthood, according to a report cited by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) from a synod study group examining priestly formation.
In a preliminary report released by the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops, the group recommended that the “views and assessments” of women be given due importance when evaluating men preparing for ordination, particularly those who have witnessed the candidates’ pastoral work in parish communities.
The document, which studies priestly formation from a synodal perspective, has been submitted to Pope Leo XIV for review. Synod officials stressed that the proposals are not final and remain subject to further discernment.
The report also urged church leaders to rethink the traditional seminary model so that future priests remain closely connected to the daily life of the faithful.
“The formation itinerary must not create artificial environments detached from the ordinary life of the faithful,” the document said, stressing that priestly training should take place in close contact with parish communities and the wider people of God.
It warned that prolonged separation from community life could foster unhealthy attitudes such as irresponsibility, concealment, and clerical immaturity.
To address this, the study group proposed complementary formation programs outside seminaries, including periods of residence in parish communities or other church settings, without extending the overall period of priestly formation.
The report also highlighted the need for candidates to have real experience in the life of the Christian community before entering formal priestly formation, describing such exposure as an essential condition for proper discernment.
The CBCP said the report forms part of the synod’s broader effort to make the work of its study groups more transparent, with additional reports expected in the coming weeks on topics including liturgy and the role of episcopal conferences in church governance.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Include women in priesthood formation, says Vatican synod report”
