Vatican Summit begins, Pope Advises Cardinals and Bishops to Avoid Pet Agendas

Even as there have been voices of demands for women’s ordination as deacons, and blessing of same-sex couples in marriage in the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis opened a Catholic summit on Wednesday, pre-empting these subjects by warning the delegates to forgo pet agendas, news organisations have reported.

The Pope, at his sermon while celebrating Mass at St Peter’s Square in Rome on Wednesday, addressing the cardinals, bishops and lay people, said not to impose their agendas.

The Vatican summit, also known as Synod of Bishops, sits for over a month to chart the future of the Catholic Church. It is attended by 368 voting members from more than 110 countries.

There have been talks of demands for blessings for same-sex couples and to ordain women as deacons. Deacons, like the priests, are ordained but cannot celebrate Mass.