The Preface to a new book, "Women and Ministries in the Synodal Church," by three female theologians and two cardinals has been written by no less than Pope Francis. The theologians are Salesian Sister Linda Pocher, Bishop Jo B. Wells of the Church of England, and Giuliva Di Berardino. The cardinals are Jean-Claude Hollerich and Seán Patrick O'Malley.

This collaborative effort came into being as the result of an initiative by Pope Francis in the important meeting of the Council of Cardinals on February 5th, where three female theologians were invited for the first time. Such sensitive issues are discussed within the book as the role of women, ordained ministry, synodality, and the damage caused by abuse within the ecclesiastical community.

In the foreword, very  appropriately, Pope Francis insists on the need to put reality before ideas, especially when it comes to recognizing women's contributions and vocations for the Church. He paid homage to the suffering of women because they are usually unrecognized and inspired a move toward a more inclusive and supportive stance.

The book also brings into focus the just-published Instrumentum Laboris for the upcoming Synod session, aimed at increasing recognition of women's giftedness and articulating a more collaborative vision of men and women regarding the mission of the Church. Although the question of the female diaconate will not feature in the agenda of the forthcoming assembly, Pope Francis has charged further theological and pastoral reflections on this topic to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and the General Secretariat of the Synod.

The present volume, "Women and Ministries in the Synodal Church," testifies to the listening of Pope himself and to the integration of women's views and experiences that can really take up a place within structures and mission in the Church.