Catholics around the world – and here in Acadiana – are reacting to some off-the-cuff comments made today by Pope Francis.

He said the Vatican should study the possibility of ordaining women as deacons.

The role of female deacons in the early church remains unclear. When asked about it in a discussion with several hundred women religious leaders on Thursday, Pope Francis said he was open to the idea of creating a commission to study the possibility of ordaining women as deacons.

The comment was part of a question and answer period with the sisters at a global conference in Rome.

Ordained ministry is reserved for men in the Catholic Church although some historians say women served as deacons in the early church.

Pope Francis reportedly said it would be useful for the church to look into whether women could be deacons.

Some Catholics like Genie Saab think there’s no need for discussion.  She says women should not be ordained as deacons.

“We’re all ministers with God you know when you have great faith and love one another.  If He (God) wanted to choose 12 women to evangelize as his apostles he would’ve chosen them.  I believe in women that can get up there and speak through the Holy Spirit but not as deacons.”

Herman Hartman Jr. left the Catholic Church when he was 12.  He believes all leadership roles in the church should be open to women.

“I don’t think it needs to be investigated or looked into, let’s put a woman in that position.  My mother is an ordained minister for full gospel Baptist church and she does an excellent job.  I see no problem with a woman being a leader in the church.”

While the Pope’s comment continues to be interpreted, a spokesperson for the Diocese of Lafayette says the remark speaks to the Pope’s willingness to think out loud.  Deacons are ordained ministers but are not priests, though they can perform many of the same functions as priests: preside at weddings, baptisms and funerals, and preach.  They cannot, however, celebrate mass, hear confession, and anoint the sick.