A newly released Synod document revisits the question of women deacons and proposes changes to canon law that could allow laypeople, including women, to assist at marriages without first obtaining authorization from the Holy See. The document emphasizes expanding women’s roles in the Church, including positions such as acolytes and lectors. John-Henry Westen describes the proposed changes as significant and as another step toward reshaping the Church’s ministerial structure.
Westen also discusses Pope Leo XIV’s remarks about Germany’s AfD party, which the Pope characterized as promoting hatred and division. Westen challenges that characterization by pointing to the party’s positions on abortion and same-sex marriage, while criticizing the Pope’s stance on immigration and contrasting the AfD with Germany’s Christian Democratic Union.
The episode also covers Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s appearance at a Catholic church, where she spoke about LGBTQ inclusion and transgender rights. John-Henry criticizes the decision to invite her, arguing that her comments were to be expected given her public positions. A congresswoman promotes transgender ideology in a Catholic church.
