The whole incident lasted around five minutes. After being removed from the basilica, Burke was taken to the Vatican security headquarters. Following the incident, the chief Vatican spokesman, Joaquín Navarro-Valls, said that Burke had been released after questioning and no charges would be filed. The Rev. Carlo Caffarra, a spokesman for the synod, condemned the incident, saying, "Morally, it is a sacrilege because it is a serious disrespect of what is most holy in the Church, the sacrament of the eucharist, and it was carried out in a sacred place." Burke held a press conference on Saturday, 7 December, with Marie-Terese Soumoy, a Belgian former nun and a supporter of her cause. Both women were accredited as a reporters covering the synod, and were both members of the Center of Research and Action on Women and Religion. At the conference, Burke delivered a prepared statement, saying,"This act represents the reality that our dear leaders must not keep us in bondage to the traditional practices and utterances from generation to generation. Presently, there are 165 men deciding on the future of the Church, yet there are no women with a vote at this synod."Burke's colleague Soumoy then proceeded to speak, addressing the aftermath of the incident. She noted that the Vatican security guards has asked for her and Burke's identity papers and also confiscated film from a photographer who had taken pictures of the mock Mass. She also said that the questioning by the Vatican guards had not been rigorous. Soumoy stated that Burke did not desire priestly ordination herself, but was a "woman full of love" acting on behalf of other women who wish to become priests. A written statement, which had been distributed to journalists after the event, stated,"This act is a declaration that one of the fruits of Vatican II are the many prepared women called to ordained priesthood. They must be recognized and called into service for their church... Sexism is a sacrilege to the Gospel of Christ... [This act] is a short prayer of profession for the love of God and the church." Closing On 8 December, Pope John Paul II gave his closing address and ended the synod. Delegate-president Cardinal John Krol also gave a closing address, described by one Catholic magazine as "magnficent." Participants There were over 165 participants in the synod, including cardinals, archbishops, and bishops (mostly heads of episcopal conferences, 25 heads