{"id":24,"date":"2021-04-21T03:08:24","date_gmt":"2021-04-21T03:08:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/discerningdeacons.org\/?page_id=24"},"modified":"2025-11-26T12:23:08","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T17:23:08","slug":"learn","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/discerningdeacons.org\/es\/learn\/","title":{"rendered":"Aprender"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Learn<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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\u201cThis tradition which comes from the Apostles develops in the Church with the help of the Holy Spirit. For there is a growth in the understanding of the realities and the words which have been handed down. This happens through the contemplation and study made by believers, who treasure these things in their hearts through a penetrating understanding of the spiritual realities which they experience.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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– Second Vatican Council, Dei verbum<\/i><\/a>, 8.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\u201cWomen Deacons? The synodal process and Women\u2019s Ordination\u201d\u00a0<\/a><\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Dr. Phyllis Zagano writes for Commonweal (July 23, 2023) tracing the themes that have been emerging through the synodal process of listening consultations and communal discernment. A well-researched overview of what various reports from around the world had to say on the question of women\u2019s roles and possible inclusion in the ordained diaconate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\tWhat did Phoebe\u2019s Position and Ministry as \u0394\u03b9\u03ac\u03ba\u03bf\u03bd\u03bf\u03c2 of the Church at Cenchrea Involve? <\/a><\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Australian theologian Margaret Mowczko wrote this chapter for the book Deacons and Diakonia in Early Christianity: The First Two Centuries published by Mohr Siebeck (January 2019). She uses biblical and historical scholarship to unpack the meaning of St. Paul\u2019s affirmation of Phoebe as \u201cour sister,\u201d \u201ca benefactor of many,\u201d and his use of the Greek word \u0394\u03b9\u03ac\u03ba\u03bf\u03bd\u03bf\u03c2 (deacon) to describe Phoebe\u2019s ministry at Cenchrea.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\tThe Canonical Implications of Ordaining Women to the Permanent Diaconate<\/a><\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Ad Hoc Committee of the Canon Law Society of America, Canonical Implications of Ordaining Women to the Permanent Diaconate.<\/span><\/i><\/a> Washington, DC: Canon Law Society of America, 1995.\u00a0 (Electronic and\/or PDF versions of The Canonical Implication of Ordaining Women to the Permanent Diaconate \u00a91995, the Canon Law Society of America. All rights reserved. Used with permission.)<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Who was St. Phoebe? And was she really a deacon?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A woman is depicted at prayer in an early Christian mosaic seen in the Vatican's Pio Cristiano Museum. (Wikimedia Commons\/Miguel Hermoso Cuesta)<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Befriending Phoebe, a Co-Worker in the Kingdom<\/a> – Sr. Colleen Gibson<\/strong> writes for the Global Sisters Report<\/span><\/a>, inviting readers to befriend this otherwise lesser known saint, a collaborator with St. Paul, whose memory has always inspired the Church when it comes to the question of women\u2019s ability to embody Jesus\u2019s <\/span>diakonia<\/span><\/i>. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Phoebe-of-Corinth-\u00a9Larry-Kamphausen-CC-BY-SA-4.0-via-Wikimedia-Commons<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Fr. Felix Just, SJ,<\/strong> who teaches in the Diaconate Formation programs of several U.S. dioceses, and maintains a large internationally-acclaimed website of “Catholic Resources”, addresses the question head on \u2013 \u201c<\/span>Is St. Phoebe a Saint?<\/span><\/a>\u201d in an article originally published in LaCroix International and available on his website.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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<\/div>
\u201cIn my personal opinion, opening the permanent diaconate to women has good theological arguments in its favour and would be a sensible pastoral step\u2026Women and men have the same dignity before God and must therefore be recognised with their own charisms.\u201d<\/div>
-Cardinal Walter Kasper (On the Trail of Truth, 2025)<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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\u201cI am in favor of opening any ministry we have in the church to women which is not clearly precluded doctrinally. My own assessment is that\u2026the permanent diaconate is not clearly prohibited by doctrinal considerations. My hope would be that they would find a pathway to make that a reality.\u201d<\/div>
-Cardinal Robert W. McElroy of Washington, D.C. (Catholic News Service, October 27, 2019)<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
\u201cOrdaining women to the diaconate would bring a certain consistency to the Church\u2019s practice. We\u2019re not doing something that\u2019s completely extraordinary or new\u2026this change would be grounded in the sources of our faith, found in the early church, situated in the context of the role women have in society today\u2026. It means this is possible.\u201d<\/div>
-Bishop Randolph R. Calvo of Reno, Nev. (Catholic News Service, April 20, 2017)<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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DD in the News<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Women who want to be Catholic deacons are hopeful about Pope Leo XIV. Here's why<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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All Things Considered (NPR, June 10, 2025)<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>

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When all feels lost, see what God is doing in the Acts of the Apostles<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Casey Stanton on the \"Preach\" Podcast (America Media, April 21, 2025)<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>

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Why renewing the diaconate should matter to laypeople<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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By Ellie Hidalgo (US Catholic, March 25, 2025)<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>

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On women deacons, who's getting ahead of the Church?<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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By Anna Robertson (National Catholic Reporter, October 2, 2024)<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>

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Undeterred by Vatican official's comments, women aspire to diaconate<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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By Rhina Guidos (National Catholic Reporter, October 4, 2024)<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>

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Pope Francis meets with women ministry advocates ahead of the synod opening<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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By Christopher White (National Catholic Reporter, September 30, 2024)<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>

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What does Jesus ask of women in a violent world?<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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By Ellie Hidalgo (El Ignaciano, September 2024)<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>

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My daughters have hard questions about the church. Are women deacons the answer?<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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By Katie Mulcahy (America Magazine, April 28, 2023) <\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>

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A nun makes the case for women deacons to Pope Francis<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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By Casey Stanton (America Media, June 6, 2023) <\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>

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Sisters model women's diaconal ministry in the Amazon<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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By Ellie Hidalgo (National Catholic Reporter, July 21, 2023) <\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Handouts<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Who Was St. Phoebe?<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The State of the Question<\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Synod Final Document: Excerpts on Women and the Diaconate<\/a><\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Read & Study<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA bishop's case for women deacons\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBy Emil Wcela (America Media, Oct. 1, 2012)\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA theological argument for women deacons\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBy Phyllis Zagano (Peeters Publisher Leuven, 2020)\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe conversation at the Amazon Synod\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBy Luke Hansen (America Media, Nov. 7, 2019)\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA testimony from a diaconal woman\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBy C\u00edria Mees (Discerning Deacons, Apr. 21, 2021)\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe distinction between deacons and priests\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBy Phyllis Zagano (National Catholic Reporter, Jan. 24, 2019)\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCallings Unanswered\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBy Anna Keating (Notre Dame Magazine, Summer 2022)\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat U.S. Catholics think of women as deacons\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBy Erick Berrelleza and Phyllis Zagano (Review of Religious Research, Nov. 3, 2018)\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Instituted ministries of Lector and Acolyte are opened to women\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tUSCCB Newsletter (Volume LVIII, Jun. 2022)\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCalled But Not Heard: The Movement for Women Deacons at the Synod\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBy Anna Keating (Commonweal, October 6, 2024)\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWomen in the lectionary, the diaconate, and leadership\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tBy Mary Katherine Tillman (Notre Dame Magazine, Summer 2018)\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA call of their own: The role of deacons in the church\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h5>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tInterview with Deacon William P. Ditewig, US Catholic, Jun. 6, 2014)\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Common Questions<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHaven\u2019t Church authorities already spoken definitively against the ordination of women?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

All papal and curial statements against the ordination of women specifically address the \u201cministerial priesthood\u201d and \u201cpriestly ordination,\u201d not the diaconate. In 2002, the International Theological Commission stated about women deacons: \u201cIt pertains to the ministry of discernment which the Lord established in his Church to pronounce authoritatively on this question.\u201d Even as Pope Francis has confirmed that the reservation of the priesthood to males \u201cis not a question open to discussion,\u201d he has established two papal commissions to study the question of women and the diaconate.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Pope John Paul II taught that the Church \u201chas no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women,\u201d and his successors have confirmed this teaching. The ordination of women as deacons does nothing to change this doctrine. The diaconate is a \u201cproper and permanent\u201d order that is distinct from the priesthood. The Catechism of the Catholic Church makes this distinction: \u201cBishops and priests receive the mission and faculty (\u2018the sacred power\u2019) to act in persona Christi Capitis [in the person of Christ the Head]; deacons receive the strength to serve the People of God in the diaconia of liturgy, word, and charity, in communion with the bishop and his presbyterate\u201d (No. 875). In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI revised church law to make clear the distinction among deacons, priests and bishops.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsn\u2019t it more important to enhance lay ministry in the Church rather than adding another clerical layer and at the same time \u201cclericalizing\u201d women?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

The enhancement of lay ministry is an enduring legacy of the Second Vatican Council and a tremendous gift in the Church. This commitment should remain strong. At the same time, the Church retains ordained ministries, which are always in need of renewal and \u201cde-clericalization.\u201d The restoration of women to the diaconate, a prophetic ministry of service in the Church, would strengthen this process. The presence of women in ordained ministry means that they would be clerics, not necessarily clerical. The struggle against clericalism is a struggle for both men and women, not women alone.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIsn\u2019t it only privileged women in the Global North who are concerned about the ordination of women as deacons? Shouldn\u2019t the Church direct its attention and resources toward the matters of life-and-death that affect women in the Global South?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

It is true that the vast majority of permanent deacons live and minister in the Global North, so this ministry is more familiar to Catholics in the United States and Europe than in other parts of the world. Yet at the recent Synod of Bishops on the Pan-Amazonian Region, the leaders of the Church in the Amazon \u2013 both bishops and lay leaders \u2013 were very clear that women in the Amazon are already doing the work of deacons, and it is the desire and hope of that church to ordain these women as deacons. <\/span>Moreover, paragraph #64 of Enlarge the Space of Your Tent indicates that “almost all reports [from the consultation phase of the global Synod on Participation, Communion and Mission] raise the issue of full and equal participation of women” and call for the entire Church to discern women and the diaconate.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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The diaconate is an ancient ministry of liturgy, Word and charity, modeled on servanthood of Christ, which embodies the Servant Church and helps the Church fulfill its mission to proclaim the Gospel and baptize all nations. If the diaconate serves important pastoral needs in the Church today, then it should be open to men and women. In many places today facing severe shortages of priests, deacons assist in the sacramental ministries of baptism and marriage, preside at funerals and give homilies. Women deacons could also exercise ministry in places where it is difficult for men to serve, like the homes and hospital rooms of women, domestic violence shelters and in women\u2019s prisons.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Local bishops could train, ordain, and give faculties to these women, expanding the presence of ordained ministers in many spheres of life, and connecting these women with parishes, pastors and local bishops. These women would be able to receive the grace of the Sacrament of Holy Orders as deacons, exercise ecclesiastical jurisdiction, serve in offices currently restricted to clerics, and be officially recognized by the Church in a lifetime commitment to its ministry. <\/span>Particularly in rural and marginalized communities, there is a need for more laborers in the vineyard. Women deacons could preach at Liturgies of the Word with Communion, celebrate baptisms, witness weddings, officiate at funeral services and accompany those most in need of a pastoral presence.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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The Apostolic Constitutions (circa 380) emphasize that women deacons do not exercise the same liturgical roles as presbyters and bishops, but they are ordained by the bishop with the laying on of hands. The Council of Chalcedon (451) recognized the ordination of women deacons and required them to be 40 and celibate. Women deacons were ordained by bishops in the sanctuary with an epiclesis and the laying on of hands (e.g., an eighth-century Byzantine ordination rite).<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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According to the Synod\u2019s Final Document, \u201cThe synodal process does not conclude with the end of the current Assembly of the Synod of Bishops but also includes the implementation phase,\u201d (#9) which will culminate with an Ecclesial Assembly in 2028. This assembly will have the goal of gathering “fruits that have matured” from the Synod process to guide Church renewal. In short, while the 2021-2024 Synod as a discrete event is over, synodality as a way of being church is only just beginning.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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According to <\/span>Ecclesiae de mysterio<\/span><\/i>, within the context of a Eucharistic liturgy lay persons (including women) may offer \u201ca form of instruction designed to promote a greater understanding of the liturgy, including personal testimonies\u2026as a means of explicating the regular homily,\u201d provided that such explication \u201cmay not be such so as to assume a character which could be confused with the homily\u201d (Article 3, n. 2). Practically speaking, this often takes place following the post-communion prayer. The parameters around preaching are much less narrow outside of Eucharistic liturgies, so some parishes and institutions may decide, for example, to host a special Liturgy of the Word featuring a homily given by a woman, or another sort of prayer service that incorporates women\u2019s preaching. For more information, see the <\/span>complementary norm on Canon 766<\/span><\/a> promulgated by the USCCB in 2001 and <\/span>Ecclesiae de mysterio<\/span><\/a>, articles 2-3.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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When Pope Francis adopted the Synod\u2019s Final Document into his ordinary Magisterium, this included the affirmation, \u201cThere is no reason or impediment that should prevent women from carrying out leadership roles in the Church: what comes from the Holy Spirit cannot be stopped. Additionally, the question of women\u2019s access to diaconal ministry remains open. This discernment needs to continue\u201d (#60). This means that, unlike the <\/span>60 Minutes<\/span><\/i> interview from May 2024, this statement carries the weight of the Church\u2019s teaching authority and should be welcomed, received, and implemented by the local Churches, as clarified in the accompanying letter by Pope Francis appended to the Synod\u2019s Final Document.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What are your questions? Let us know.<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Reports<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A Church that teaches must firstly be a Church that listens.”<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u2013Pope Francis<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Discerning Deacons has heard Pope Francis\u2019 call for a synodal church. During the summer of 2021, more than 1,500 Catholics from Canada, India and the United States gathered via video conference and in-person to actively discern the question of women and the diaconate in our Catholic Church.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

In 2022 as part of the consultation phase of the global synod, DD helped animate over 325 consultations that engaged 9,000+ people, and submitted a synthesis report.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

On the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Discerning Deacons released a synthesis which gathered the themes and experiences from an intercontinental Pilgrimage to Mexico City where participants gathered from across the Americas to pray for a synodal Church, serve the discernment around rethinking women\u2019s participation, and cast a prophetic vision for a synodal diaconate. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Gathering the Fruits<\/a><\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Synthesis for a Synodal Church <\/a><\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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DD Pilgrimage Synthesis <\/a><\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Called to Contribute<\/a><\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Called to Contribute Findings from an In-depth Interview Study of US Catholic Women and the Diaconate<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In April 2021, Dr. Tricia Bruce, PhD conducted a qualitative research study by interviewing 40 U.S. women about their Catholic faith, their experience and understanding of vocation, and their life in ministry.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>

The full report explores patterns across Catholic women\u2019s experiences captured within four interrelated themes: Call, Constraint, Adaptation and Contribution.<\/span><\/i><\/p>

The executive summary and full report can be found at the website<\/a> or by clicking the button below.<\/span><\/i><\/p>

For news coverage of the report, please follow this link<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead the report<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Women and the Diaconate: The Church in the Amazon<\/a><\/h6>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In this short video, Ellie Hidalgo, co-director of Discerning Deacons, describes the ecological and ministerial context of the Catholic Church in the Pan-Amazonian region, highlighting the powerful ministries of women being carried out in that region.<\/span><\/p>

For more educational videos check out our <\/i>YouTube channel<\/i><\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Survey Data<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Who believes the Church should ordain women as deacons, according to recent surveys of Catholics in the United States conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University?<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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72%<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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of leaders of religious orders (CARA 2018<\/a>)<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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of Catholic women* (CARA 2018<\/a>)<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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of directors of deacon formation (CARA 2019<\/a>)<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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of bishops** (CARA 2019<\/a>)<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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*An additional 21% of Catholic women wanted to learn more before answering
**79% of bishops believed: If authorized by the pope, it would be implemented in the U.S.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Continue Your Journey\u2026<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Pray<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Much hence that before a much before thus grew much much lion abominable regal. Much hence that before a much before thus grew much.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLEARN ABOUT ST. PHOEBE<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Witness<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Much hence that before a much before thus grew much much lion abominable regal. Much hence that before a much before thus grew much.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tENCOUNTER STORIES<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Join the Discernment<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Much hence that before a much before thus grew much much lion abominable regal. Much hence that before a much before thus grew much.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet Involved<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cThis tradition which comes from the Apostles develops in the Church with the help of the Holy Spirit. For there is a growth in the understanding of the realities and the words which have been handed down. This happens through the contemplation and study made by believers, who treasure these things in their hearts through […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"give_campaign_id":0,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-24","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"campaignId":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/discerningdeacons.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/discerningdeacons.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/discerningdeacons.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/discerningdeacons.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/discerningdeacons.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24"}],"version-history":[{"count":296,"href":"https:\/\/discerningdeacons.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23430,"href":"https:\/\/discerningdeacons.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24\/revisions\/23430"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/discerningdeacons.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}