Pope Francis has created a commission to study the possibility of ordaining women as deacons in the Roman Catholic Church. On Tuesday, he named 12 experts — six men and six women — to serve on the panel.
Francis had promised to establish the panel in May in a meeting with an assembly of leaders of women’s religious orders.
The Vatican said that Francis decided to institute the commission “after intense prayer and mature reflection.” Francis’ predecessors have repeatedly said that church doctrine bars women from being ordained as priests or deacons. But some Catholics, especially in the United States and Europe, have been advocating for women to serve as deacons and hope the commission will open the door.
Deacons are ordained like priests, but only priests celebrate Mass. But deacons may preach, perform weddings, funerals and baptisms, and help administer a parish. Full on NYT
Related Biblical Scripture
Women: Teach Not But Be In Silence
1 Timothy 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
