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Witnesses
Keith Davis
Director of Deacon Formation (Archdiocese of Santa Fe) and National Association of Lay Ministry Board Member
February 8, 2022

The restoration of women to the permanent diaconate is long overdue. Women make up the majority of (lay) ministers in the Church and it is time for their ministry to be fully embraced.  I am hopeful that the opening up of the ministries of acolyte and lector to women as installed ministers as well as the creation of the new installed ministry of catechist will lead to greater recognition of the role of women in ministerial roles. But this is not enough. It is time to open up the permanent diaconate to all who are qualified regardless of gender. The Church needs this witness.

Witness
“For many years, I had the privilege of leading Communion services in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. In the beginning, I did this with great trepidation, but by the time my ministry ended, I was thoroughly convinced that the Holy Spirit can fill the hearts, souls and minds of faith-filled women every bit as much as those of men.”
Jacalyn Anderson
Parish Member and Lector, Winchester, WI
Witness
“I have been blessed with women who have shared their many gifts with me. They have broken open Scripture for the people of God with their own perspective and insight. They have shown ways of leading which empower and confirm the value of each individual person. They have offered perspectives and visions of the Spirit’s call to live God’s love for all.”
Don Highberger, SJ
University Campus Minister and Hospital Pastoral Minister, St. Louis, MO
Witness
“If I could be ordained a deacon, the people would hear the Good News preached with authority at the pulpit and in the world. For me personally, it would feel like the ability to serve in the manner in which God has put on my heart to serve. As a minister of the word, liturgy and charity, I would preach the word to inspire others to love God and their neighbor. I would continue to bring communion to the sick and imprisoned, but I would also free our priests by taking on some baptisms, weddings, and funeral services that are outside of the Mass. It would feel like the fullness of what I was meant to do.”
Theresa Shepherd-Lukasik
Director of Adult Faith Formation, St. Joseph Parish, Seattle, WA

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