Fran McDonald
“Women need to be heard. We are half of the human race. We were created as equal to men.”
Archives: Witness
Sr. Charlotte Davenport, C.S.J.P.
“It is important to consider the role of the diaconate in serving today’s world. Service is greater than gender.”
Deacon Paul Emerson
“It’s time, again! God, who is the God of all, certainly never meant our church be represented by male clerics only. This church must change or it will fade away into obscurity.”
Donna B. Doucette
“Collaborative efforts focused on justice for women in the Church will build the critical mass needed to bring true reform.”
Fr. Bob Bonnot
“The Discerning Deacons initiative is an effective and timely way to engage the baptized and enable them to learn, discern, and raise their voice regarding the ordination of women deacons.”
Erlinda Perlado-Mertens
“It is a gift of Christ to the Church to ordain women to the diaconate. It will increase the reach and depth of Christian ministry and also add to the efficacy of being ekklesia, the people of God, which includes men and women.”
Gladys Whitehouse
“I believe I am gifted and called to this sacramental ministry as a deacon, but it is not allowed to me as a woman. Still, our director of liturgy often tells me that I am a deacon and continues to invite me to preside at prayer services whenever he can.”
Gloria J. Slagle
“Our diocese in Alaska has over 38 ‘bush parishes’ where many people have not had Eucharist in over six months or a year. There is no one to lead a communion service, preach, witness a wedding or preside at a burial. We could ordain women as deacons from each village.”
Fr. Theodore Gabrielli, S.J.
“The church I grew up in and the church I know today has always been guided by incredibly generous and talented pastoral ministers who are our grandmothers, our mothers, our sisters, our neighbors and our friends. Now is the time to recognize their gifts and graces and discern more fully their ministry in our church.”
Russ Petrus
“I have had the privilege of learning, praying and working with many faithful and gifted women who deeply understand their own call from God and their communities to minister as deacons. It is important for the whole Church to acknowledge that these women are in fact called to the diaconate and that ordaining them would strengthen the Body of Christ as we carry out the work of the gospel.”