VATICAN CITY: A papal commission on the role of female deacons met for the first time Friday in a move reformers hope could open the door to women eventually entering the Catholic clergy.

As things stand only men can serve as priests or as deacons. The latter are church officers who are authorised to give sermons and preside over baptisms, marriages and funerals but not to hear confessions or give communion, tasks which remain the preserve of ordained priests. MORE