Deborah Rose-Milavec
“Around the world, there is no question that women are already ministering as deacons in the Catholic Church. Their rich gifts deserve both honor and the same sacramental grace as their brother deacons.”
Archives: Witness
Fr. Jude Siciliano, O.P.
“Mary Magdalene was the first to proclaim Jesus’ resurrection. The role of the deacon is to preach and care for the needy. Women already do this in many ways in our church communities, and that needs to be officially acknowledged by ordaining women to the diaconate.”
Fr. Gregory J. Boyle, S.J.
“This movement toward acknowledging the role of women in the Church is essential.”
Deacon Greg Kandra
“Pope Francis has invited the Church to explore the question of women deacons — and I believe Discerning Deacons is an important, prayerful and faithful addition to this exploration. With humility, intelligence and fidelity, this group is seeking to discern God’s will, wherever that may lead. I admire their spirit. I’m praying with them and for them, and hope more people will, too!”
Fr. Scott Santarosa, S.J.
“I know there is great hunger for the sacraments, and I believe women deacons could help the Church significantly in much-needed sacramental ministry. Further, I believe having women preach the Word would help the gospel be more accessible and spiritually fruitful to a greater percentage of the population.”
Most Rev. Emil A. Wcela
“This project is helping our Church to discern how the extensive ministry of women could be enriched and graced in a new way through their ordination as deacons. It would bring a new degree of official recognition to their indispensable role in the Church.”
Bridget Deegan-Krause, M.Div.
“I am a witness to the powerful ministry of women in Catholic health care and beyond. Let’s support Pope Francis in this important discernment process. Ordaining women to the diaconate would dramatically enrich the sacramental ministry of the church.”
Elizabeth A. Donnelly
“Restoring women to the diaconate would enable many more Catholic communities around the world to be nourished by gifted women breaking open the Word.”
Fr. Warren Sazama, S.J.
“Our Church would be greatly enriched by inviting women into high-profile leadership positions. The lack of doing so does not express a welcoming attitude toward women in the Church.”
Cecilia González-Andrieu, Ph.D.
“The restoration of women to diaconal ministry is a way for us to witness to the Holy Spirit at work in the world and to faithfully respond to the Spirit’s promptings as a community.”