Discerning Deacons Statement on Pope Leo XIV and the Diaconate

Para publicación inmediata: September 18, 2025 

Pope Leo affirmed that including women in the ordained diaconate is a legitimate topic for ongoing discernment during his recent interview with CRUX’s Elise Allen. He underscores the need for a renewed understanding and lived practice of the whole diaconate – permanent and transitional – in the universal Church. 

The Holy Father adds: “I am certainly willing to continue to listen to people.” We at Discerning Deacons applaud Pope Leo’s commitment to the synodal journey with listening as its central practice. We are committed to the Synod’s Implementation Phase and to working cooperatively to explore a renewed diaconate, as inspired by Paragraphs 60 and 73 in the Documento final del Sínodo. After all, there is no Church doctrine against restoring women to the ordained permanent diaconate. 

Discerning Deacons will submit a request to meet with the Holy Father to share testimonies of how the Holy Spirit is calling forth the vocational calls of women to diaconate ministry in our local communities. We ask you – Discerning Deacons friends and followers – to pray that this request be received so that we have the opportunity to enter into dialogue and mutual listening with Pope Leo.

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About Discerning Deacons

Discerning Deacons involucra a los católicos en un discernimiento activo sobre el papel de las mujeres en la Iglesia y la renovación del diaconado para que la Iglesia pueda servir a todo el pueblo de Dios en todo el mundo. Más información: DiscerningDeacons.org

Contact: Comms@discerningdeacons.org

Comparte este Artículo

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Ser testigos
“I felt seen in my call to pastoral care, to teaching, to preaching—just as clearly as my ordained colleagues are seen in theirs. I felt valued. Not invisible. Not dismissed. I don’t know what the future holds—for me, or for the role of women in the Church. But I know this: I have hope.”
Jolaine M.J. Liupakka, PMin
Coordinator of Middle School & Confirmation, St. Thomas Becket, Eagan, MN
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Ser testigos
“If I were a deacon, I would have the support of other deacons and a community where I could draw strength through prayer and discernment. Women would have the privilege of speaking about Catholic social teaching from the ambo. I do believe women as deacons would renew the face of the Church.”
Beth Brinkmann Cianci
Volunteer with the Ignatian Spirituality Project, Boston, MA
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Organization
“We are happy to be able to share about women in the Church who lead and are heard, especially for the youngest amongst us who need to hear this message.”
South Seattle Parish Family
Seattle, WA

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