CATHOLIC OBJECTIONS TO WOMEN’S ALTAR SERVICE: BARRED FROM THE SACRED

by Phyllis Zagano

The question of women deacons continues to be discussed in the Catholic Church, and questions about women are again in the news. Whether the discussion is about priestly celibacy or about ordaining women to the diaconate, the common denominator is that women are unclean. In the Roman Catholic Church, marriage is a diriment impediment for priestly orders and women cannot be ordained as deacons. The below is excerpted from Chapter 3, “Altar Service” in Phyllis Zagano’s forthcoming Paulist Press book Women: Icons of Christ, which traces the development of the diaconal ministries performed by women, ordained and not ordained as deacons.

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM WITH WOMEN DEACONS? NOTHING, SAYS THIS SCHOLAR OF WOMEN’S ORDINATION IN THE EARLY CHURCH

By Phyllis Zagano | 

CATHOLIC WOMEN DEACONS: PAST ARGUMENTS AND FUTURE POSSIBILITIES

CATHOLIC WOMEN DEACONS:

PAST ARGUMENTS AND FUTURE POSSIBILITIES

PHYLLIS ZAGANO

ORDAIN CATHOLIC WOMEN AS DEACONS

Phyllis Zagano, bulletin.hds.harvard.edu