Pope Francis has set up a study commission on whether to allow women deacons in the Catholic Church, the Vatican said on Tuesday.
The Vatican's daily bulletin said the commission would be headed by Monsignor Luis Francisco Ferrer, the secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and would be made up of 12 members, including six women.
Francis first mooted the idea of allowing allowing women to serve as deacons, opening the way potentially for a historic move that would end the tradition of a male-only clergy in the Catholic Church, in May.
A deacon is an ordained minister ranking below a priest in the Church hierarchy. They play a supportive role, dealing with practical issues while higher ministries can focus on spiritual teaching. Deacons can oversee baptisms, witness marriages and perform funeral services, but are not allowed to celebrate Mass or hear confessions.
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