Epigraph:
Then We caused Our Messengers to follow in their footsteps; and We caused Jesus, son of Mary, to follow them, and We gave him the Gospel. And We placed in the hearts of those who accepted him compassion and mercy. But monasticism which they invented for themselves — We did not prescribe it for them — for the seeking of Allah’s pleasure; but they did not observe it with due observance. Yet We gave those of them who believed their due reward, but many of them are rebellious. (Al Quran 57:27)
Source: CNN
By Delia Gallagher and Lauren Said-Moorhouse
Rome (CNN)The Vatican says it is open to discussing the ordination of married men and an official role for women, to address a shortage of priests in the Amazon region.
A document prepared for a meeting at the Vatican on the issue, due to be held in October 2019, suggests examining what “type of official ministry can be conferred on women.” The meeting is also expected to discuss a previously-mooted suggestion that older married men could serve as priests in the region.
Pope Francis called the meeting to address a severe shortage of priests in the Amazon basin, which covers more than three million square miles.
The preparatory document, published on Friday, says the resources of the church have been spread too thinly in the region. “One of the main points to be heard is the cry of thousands of communities deprived of the Sunday Eucharist for long periods of time,” the document says.
It says the church should not be afraid to make “daring proposals.”
The Quranic Compassion 