Women Deacons

Pope Francis has appointed a group of six men and six women to study the possibility of women deacons in the Catholic Church. We know women served as deacons in the early church so there is an historical precedent. It does seem to be a step toward equal opportunity for women in the Church. We do not know what will be the outcome, but at least there is an openness to dialogue.

I have one concern. For so long complementarity has been stressed as women's role in the Church, I fear that a deacon position will be one exclusively of service, not one of authority. Certainly men deacons perform service in the parish, but they also are able to preach and administer some sacraments. Hopefully, if women deacons are approved they will have comparable roles and not just train servers and oversee parish dinners. Father Thomas Reese, former editor of America, recommends that deacons be allowed to administer the anointing of the sick, a real need when a priest is not available.

Women do want to serve the Church, but they deserve some official status at the decision-making table. If they are just treated as glorified altar girls, that will not be progress. Women who seek this role should not be criticized for wanting equality, but rather welcomed for using their gifts and talents for the good of the Church. Many women have advanced degrees in theology and other fields and could contribute much to the quality of homilies and compassionate outreach in a parish.