Phyllis Zagano

Just Catholic: Pope Francis changed canon law to allow women to be installed as lectors and acolytes. Perhaps the new women deacons commission — set to meet in Rome for a week beginning Sept. 13 — will study what (if any) diaconal tasks are impossible for women.

Just Catholic: The combination of pandemic lockdowns and Zoom have spawned a new way of being Catholic. Or, they have spawned a new way of seeming to be Catholic. We are moving toward a Catholic Metaverse.

Book review: In the interviews, Jesuit Fr. Arturo Sosa kindly and straightforwardly explains the Ignatian charism that has freed so many men and women to bring the Gospel to so many persons in so many ways.

Just Catholic: The important thing to remember is that the now codified restriction against ordaining women, at least as deacons, is a "merely ecclesiastical law." That is, it can be changed.

Just Catholic: When Pope Francis said he did not want to clericalize the laity, he meant it. Now, while too many bishops have their cinctures in a knot over who can approach Communion, Francis is redesigning the church.

Just Catholic: The "no-change" folks have a lot of clerical support. Some "change" folks continue to speak, but many walk away. But we know the church can change because it has, usually to maintain clerical power.

Just Catholic: The Chaldean rite, with or without the words of institution, makes it clear that the Holy Spirit and the faith of the community create the Real Presence. But then there is the larger implication.

Just Catholic: The history of synods and councils is trying to get everyone to come to the table with genuine interest in discussion and discernment. The difference lately? Women are allowed at the table.

Just Catholic: There are so-called Catholic blogs, internet sites, even broadcast networks still spreading falsehoods about the results of the recent presidential election. They did their best to foment the Capitol riot on Jan. 6.

Just Catholic: Dear Dr. Biden, I am sorry you were the subject of such a patently stupid op-ed the other day. I hate to see folks attacking your professional credentials, and for no reason at all.

Just Catholic: Whether about ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick or President Donald Trump, their complementary stories provide background noise to the worldwide pandemic and save us the trouble of reading medieval history.

Just Catholic: Fratelli Tutti is written by a man who took the title from a man who was speaking to men, and now this document is addressed to men. Well, why not? It's not women who are ruining the world.

Just Catholic: Forget about women in church leadership. Could the Vatican maybe hire a few women editors? The latest embarrassment: "Fratelli tutti," title of the coming papal encyclical, is Italian for "all brothers."

Just Catholic: There was lots of talking together and walking together at the recent Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon region. Some 230 men and 35 women met, but on the interrelated questions of married priests and women deacons, the talking and the walking fell short.

Just Catholic: The good news is 15 new cardinals seem to be on the Roman horizon. The bad news is they are all men. And the fact of the matter is, if you are not at the table, you are not part of the discussion.

Just Catholic: The cult of personality is a very scary thing. No matter where or how it forms, it usually crashes and burns with the death or diminishment of the individual who gained a following.

Just Catholic: We cannot have any expectation of ordinary pre-pandemic Masses soon, but the tease of guidelines and statements raises a false hope. And the minimal input of women to reopening plans is obvious.

Just Catholic: As the human race joins the rest of the planet in a struggle for survival, the church is also trying to find its footing. Why? Clericalism.

Just Catholic: As most of the church sits in isolation, hoping and praying for an "all clear" message and the chance to resume life as it was, new ways of being church arise.

Just Catholic: Apostolic exhortations neither clarify doctrine nor make law. If Francis is going to do anything about married priests and women deacons, he will — he must — use another type of document.