Pope's reform process ends without more gender equity

Pope Francis' years-long process to reform the Catholic Church reflected a push to listen to followers, but closed with recommendations that fell short of giving women more equity.

In a significant move, the pope said he would not issue a teaching document from the recommendations, which called for women to be allowed all opportunities that church law already provides while leaving open the contentious question of allowing women to be ordained as deacons.

As a result, it remains unclear what if any authority or impact the synod's final recommendations will have, given the purpose of the exercise was to provide the pope with specific proposals on reform.

Francis said he would continue to listen to the bishops' counsel, adding "this is not a classic way of endlessly delaying decisions".

Deacons perform many of the same functions as priests, such as presiding over baptisms, weddings and funerals, but they cannot celebrate Mass.

Advocates say allowing women to be deacons would help offset the shortage of priests.

Opponents say it would signal the start of a slippery slope toward ordaining women to the all-male priesthood that Francis has repeatedly reaffirmed.

Earlier this week, the Vatican's top doctrinal officer, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, told the extraordinary assembly of 368 bishops and laypeople that Francis had said the moment "is not ripe" for allowing ordination of women as deacons.

He did not respond directly to a request to define what would determine "ripeness" for a greater role for women.

The multi-year synod process had sparked great hopes for change, especially for women, who have long complained that they are treated as second-class citizens in the church.

Women are barred from the church's highest ministerial positions, yet do the lion's share of the work running Catholic hospitals and schools and passing the faith onto future generations.

The outcome is a disappointment for Catholics who have been campaigning for recognition that women share a spiritual calling that is no different than a man's.

They also noted that despite the inclusion of women in the synodal process, the working group that is guiding discussions on women's role is being run by the Roman curia, operating outside the synod.

"I think the final document will be received with much disappointment and frustration by many women around the world who are hoping for concrete changes," said Kate McElwee, the executive director of the Women's Ordination Conference.

While she acknowledged a "cultural shift," she said "the pace of that shift is perhaps too slow for many women".