“Our ministry as consecrated women is incredibly powerful, but some of us, who feel called to be ordained as deacons, could do even more than what we are doing now. Having served as a missionary in various places in Africa with no priests, I have seen there are many services that could perfectly be carried out by women deacons. The way to lead the community would be much more circular, synodal and domestic. The biblical and theological contribution of a woman is often more connected and more likely to penetrate daily life issues.”

Iris Lorena Ortiz Arce is a vocation promoter in San Jose, Costa Rica.