
Cardinal group pushes for married priests, female deacons and environmental activism
Oct. 26 (UPI) -- The Catholic Church could allow married priests while also ordaining women as deacons on a regional basis, based on recommendations from a gathering of cardinal bishops from the Amazon region of South America. The nine-nation area has a shortage of priests that needs to be addressed. After listening to the cardinals' concerns, Pope Francis said he would assemble a commission to consider both issues. "I am going to take up the challenge that ... you have put forward, that women be heard," Francis said. The cardinals said Jesus entrusted women in the ministry, setting an example for the church today. The Oct. 6-27 meeting in Vatican City also focused on serious threats facing the Amazon Basin, including the outbreak of wildfires in the rain forest this year. They want to ...