Sharing the fruits from our season of listening

“A Church that teaches must be firstly a Church that listens.” Pope Francis

Discerning Deacons has responded to Pope Francis’ 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.

This report conveys the ideas, hopes, and concerns raised in these discussions.

Report was prepared by Laura Boysen-Aragon and Casey Stanton, with contributions by Ellie Hidalgo, Lisa Amman and Luke Hansen. With thanks to Certified ToP® Facilitators Laura Johansson and Maria Teresa Gaston who led ~60 hosts in a series of consensus workshops as we sought to grow our capacity to walk together in a listening, discerning, participatory endeavor. Additional thanks to Jack Rogers for his work on graphic design. 

Download the Report

 

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Witness
“A highlight for many present was the Scripture reflection offered by a female parishioner who specifically spoke about her experience as a minister in the Church. At St. William, communal leadership and ministry are a central part of our community’s identity and values.”
St. William Catholic Community
Louisville, KY
Witness
“I have always viewed my ministry through this lens – out of service for and to the people of God. My intention was and is never to center myself in my ministry as a lay leader, rather my focus was always on how I could better uplift others in our midst. The Holy Spirit has certainly been active in the communities where I have ministered.”
Sr. Janet M. Peterworth, OSU
Community Leader, Pastoral Caregiver, Writer, Louisville, KY
Witness
“The mission of Discerning Deacons is important because they are advocating for a larger role for women in the Church, which is hard to do. Discerning Deacons is unafraid to get their hands dirty to bring about a more inclusive Church for women.”
Devon James
College Campus Minister, Cincinnati, OH

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