[marshmallow]

This should be a settled issue which requires no further discussion. Raised expectations, increased clamoring for women's ordination and no good will come from this process.

[iowamark]

Discussed in this 2002 document:

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/cti_documents/rc_con_cfaith_pro_05072004_diaconate_en.html

[Kolokotronis]

The Russian Church has always had deaconesses, so far as I know. The order was officially restored in Greece in 2004, though deaconesses had served for centuries in monasteries. I think there are some in other Balkan countries. I met one from Roumania once.

The role of deaconesses in the Liturgy died out hundreds of years ago, I expect as a result of the Mohammedan conquest of The Empire.

I honestly don’t think this is anything to be afraid of. I mean, we Orthodox are hardly what you would call innovators and I assure you the Orthodox Church hasn’t collapsed because of deaconesses.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I miss having a Catholic Pope.

[Salvation]

I agree with you. This won’t happen.

[Don Corleone]

What can you expect from a Jesuit? Dominicans rule!

[maryz]

Raised expectations, increased clamoring for women's ordination and no good will come from this process.

IIRC, Paul VI appointed a commission to study the use of artificial birth control, and this did indeed raise expectations; I believe most or all of the commission came out pro artificial birth control, and there was much discussion. Paul VI, of course, went against the commission and produced Humanae Vitae, but much damage had been done. I hear Sean Hannity (something of an idiot IMO) said on his radio show that the Church allowed it now; likely many other Catholics are under the same misapprehension.

[MIchaelTArchangel]

Pope Frances is the anti-Christ.

[Claud]

Phyllis Zagano, a National Catholic Reporter columnist and author of several books on women and the diaconate.

Aaaaannnnd the fix is in.

Francis is a disgrace. We are going to have to get Honorius I on his sorry behind.

[Arthur McGowan]

Gotta have a pro-abort in there. (Zagano writes for the Fishwrap.)

[GreyFriar]

I heard a report on WMAL radio (from Wash DC) that Pope Francis categorically denied that he was approving female deacons as some of the MSM was reporting. He emphasized he had only authorized a commission to study the issue.