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Witnesses
Russ Petrus
May 4, 2021

“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.”

Russ Petrus, Co-Director, FutureChurch; Co-Founder and Developer, Catholic Women Preach

 

FutureChurch has advocated for the restoration of women deacons through education, prayer and dialogue for more than 15 years. Beginning in 2005, they have sent more than 60,000 postcards and signatures to Vatican offices through various campaigns calling for the restoration of women deacons and efforts to advance the conversation. In 2016, FutureChurch launched CatholicWomenDeacons.org and hosted its first retreat for women discerning a call to the diaconate. In 2017, FutureChurch, The Association of U.S. Catholic Priests, and Voice of the Faithful partnered to develop and promote DeaconChat, a resource to facilitate conversations between laity and their local priests and bishops. FutureChurch leadership has also been present at the last several assemblies of the Synod of Bishops, keeping Catholic women’s concerns and ordaining women deacons front and center.

 

Catholic Women Preach brings the voices of diverse Catholic women to the proclamation of the Gospel for all of the world to see, hear and read. At CatholicWomenPreach.org all the faithful can view videos, download podcasts and read weekly preaching from theologically-trained women, learn about and appreciate the contributions women make to the Church and the world, and find inspiration as they prepare their own preaching and ministries of the Word. A project of FutureChurch launched in collaboration with Elizabeth Anne Donnelly on All Saints Day 2016, Catholic Women Preach videos have garnered more than 400,000 views and podcast downloads, which accounts for over 2 million minutes of individuals, groups and communities witnessing the wisdom of women breaking open the Word.

Witness
“[I hope the Church ordains women to the diaconate] to bring a wider witness and expression of God’s life, love, and presence to the people of God. Women’s voices and leadership will heal, encourage and empower the lives of men, women, and children. It will call forth a new understanding of church vocation and enrich Catholic family life.”
Deedee Van Dyke
Catholic Chaplain, Joliet, IL
Witness
“The first Apostle was a woman, Mary Magdalena. She continues to remain a tower of strength for women in ministry today. If more women were ordained to the diaconate in the Roman Catholic Church, I believe we would have more meaningful and spiritually enriching homilies, and our liturgies would embrace and welcome all to the Eucharistic table.”
Sonja Grace
Witness
“If I was ordained as a deacon, it would not be a means to an end, but rather it would be a continual invitation to a deeper and broader journey with Christ. Deacons are asked to become outwardly more visible as hands in service to the Church. To respond to such a vocation would be a treasure, a deepening of my inner faith life enriched by the outward experiences of ministry and service. Both the inner and outer journey become a longing to seek and know the Christ we are called to serve.”   
Nina Laubach
Student, MDiv program at Princeton Theological Seminary

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This is the hub where we share relevant news, events and opportunities to participate in the work. 
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