Women Catholic Deacons 'No Longer Taboo'

The Local ^ | 4/29/13

[marshmallow]

Germany's top Roman Catholic has called for women to be allowed to become deacons, which would enable them to perform baptisms and marriages outside of mass - a novelty for Catholic women.

Archbishop of Freiburg Robert Zollitsch, who chairs the German Bishops' Conference, called for the change at the end of a four-day meeting to discuss possible reforms.

The conference, the first of its kind, invited 300 Roman Catholic experts to propose reforms. Zollitsch's comments echo year-long calls from the Central Committee of German Catholics to permit women to become deacons. On Sunday, Zollitsch said that aim was no longer a 'taboo.'

Zollitsch said the Catholic Church could only regain credibility and strength by committing to reform. He described an "atmosphere of openness and freedom" at the conference.

Deacons assist priests during church services and can perform baptisms and marriages outside of mass. Their primary role however is to serve the needy in their community and their duties are considered secular rather than pastoral.

Another proposal to emerge from the conference was to extend the rights of remarried divorcees to sit on church bodies such as parish councils. Conference members also discussed the possibility of granting them the right to receive Holy Communion and attend confession.

"It's important to me that, without undermining the sanctity of marriage, these men and women are taken seriously within the church and feel respected and at home," said Zollitsch. At present the reforms remain speculative and there is no proposed time-frame for their implementation. The position of divorcees remains highly controversial within the Church.

[kearnyirish2]

“I believe there have been several ‘Permanent Deacons’ who, after the death of their wives, went on to join the priesthood.”

Several leave the deaconate when they’re told they can’t re-marry as well; in my experience they want the best of both worlds.

[Iscool]

I do believe however there are strict rules in the bible for a woman to be a deconess and that those rules ought to apply today.

Well ya but that's the bible...They are talking about the Catholic religion...

[Morgana]

The catholic religion does believe in the Bible. Oh wait we give it to the world! So yes I’d say we believe in it.

I talked to some friends last night about the role of female deaconess in the Bible and most think their role was purely administrative. There are debates over this. I do know however the female deaconess were assigned to help female members of the church, which considering we wish to avoid another sex scandal is a good idea.

[A.A. Cunningham]

I do believe however there are strict rules in the bible for a woman to be a deconess(sic) and that those rules ought to apply today.

Bravo Sierra.

Provide chapter and verse references for the word "deaconess" in Scripture.

[A.A. Cunningham]

One must remember that when it comes to discussing Scripture, you couldn’t find your backside with both hands if spotted nine fingers.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Perhaps it is the water or an inherent defect in German DNA. We all know of the trouble that a paranoid, schizophrenic, anti-semitic, alcoholic German monk who refused to control his libido caused in 1517.

[Morgana]

Don’t get protestant on my a**. I’d have to go searching but right now I know off the top of my head Pheobe was one.

[Petrosius]

The first followers of Jesus were of course Jews so it was from them that the Apostles were chosen. But our Lord had many women followers. He made a deliberate decision to exclude them from ministry. Was he a misogynist? Are the advocates of female ordination more just than Jesus? These are the implications of those who would promote female ordination and they cannot be glossed over by flippant responses.