What Bishops Are Saying

“There have been female deacons in earlier centuries, and that could also be again reintroduced.”

“The majority of bishops [at the Amazon Synod] were in favor of admitting women to the permanent diaconate…. My hope would be that they would find a pathway to make that a reality.”

“Ordaining women to the diaconate would bring a certain consistency to the church’s practice.”

“Ordaining women as deacons who have the necessary personal, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral qualities would give their indispensable role in the life of the church a new degree of official recognition.”

“If the pope, with this synod, opens the possibility of the diaconate for women, they know I will ordain them, if they are brought forward by the community.”

“The Synod on the Amazon must not only honor this pastoral work of women, but allow women to the diaconate.”

“There is a path that is open for the ordination of women.”

“There are well-developed arguments in theology in favor of opening up the sacramental ministry to women.”

“Would I like to see women deacons? I would.”

“I think Jesus would not mind having women deacons if there’s an actual pastoral need.”

“Women should be ordained deacons. It is a sign of the times.”

If women could preach, “the culture of men and women will change and we will also discuss theological issues differently.”

“I would be very glad [to hear a] positive decision relatively soon [from the papal commission].”

“The ordination of women as deacons would be an important and correct step.”

“To clearly show the world the equal dignity of women and men in the Church, [I propose that this Synod] recommends the establishment of a process that could eventually open to women access to this order.”

“I welcome the news [of a papal commission].... Women deserve to be brought more fully into the decision-making of the church.”

“We’re delighted that Phyllis Zagano, who is a very erudite woman and also a very clearly spoken woman on the issue, was named to [the papal commission]. As soon as I heard that, I said, ‘This is going to be credible.’... What [the pope] does with this is going to be interesting, but I think that was a hopeful sign.”

“I personally welcome the news [of a papal commission]… We genuinely seek meaningful, creative, and faithful collaboration and participation of women in our ecclesial community.”

“There’s a conversation that needs to continue [about women deacons].... I do think their contribution does need further enhancement.”