Women deacons have become the subject of a growing debate in the Catholic Church. During his papacy, Pope Francis has established two papal commissions and one synod study group to investigate the history, theology and pastoral issues related to the female diaconate.
Currently, the Catholic Church does not ordain women as deacons. But there is significant historical evidence for them. And though women deacons disappeared in the 12th century, no definitive prohibition to ordaining women as deacons was ever issued by a pope or Vatican decree.
Today, as synodality takes root, Catholics around the world are speaking frankly about the mission and needs of their churches, and in many places they are discussing, debating and discerning the prospect of restoring women deacons. Could women deacons make a comeback in the Catholic Church?
America Media has released a video explainer about the state of the question. It looks at the history of women deacons and raises the key theological questions in the debate.
Featuring commentary by:
- Deacon William Ditewig, PhD, is the author of “Courageous Humility: Reflections on the Church, Diakonia and Deacons,” and numerous other books on the diaconate. He is a deacon of the Archdiocese of Washington, DC and holds a BA in Philosophy, an MA in Education, an MA in Pastoral Theology, and the Ph.D. in Theology and Religious Studies from the Catholic University of America.
- Bishop W. Shawn McKnight is the bishop of the Diocese of Jefferson City, MO and author of, “Understanding the Diaconate: Historical, Theological, and Sociological Foundations.”
- Sheila Pires is the Secretary of the Commission for Information for the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, and a delegate to the synod. She is the Communications Officer for the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
Read the video transcript here.
More from America on women deacons:
- Pope Francis said no to women deacons. There’s still space for lay leadership.
- Why women deacons could enrich the church
- Women are doing the work of deacons all around us. Let’s recognize them.
- Podcast: Vatican creates study groups on women deacons, role of bishops, seminary reform
- ‘God may be calling us’: Meet the women aspiring to become deacons
- A nun makes the case for women deacons to Pope Francis
- Podcast: As discussion turns to women deacons, the synod ‘gets interesting’
