Pope Francis has announced he will create a commission to study the possibility of allowing women to serve as deacons in the Catholic church, signaling an historic openness to the possibility of ending the global institution’s practice of an all-male clergy.
The pontiff indicated he would create such a commission during a meeting at the Vatican Thursday with some 900 leaders of the world’s congregations of Catholic women religious, who asked him during a question-and-answer session why the church excludes women from serving as deacons.
The women religious, meeting with the pope as part of the triennial assembly of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG), told Francis that women has served as deacons in the early church and asked: “Why not construct an official commission that might study the question?”
The pope responded that he had spoken about the matter once some years ago with a “good, wise professor” who had studied the use of female deacons in the early centuries of the church. Francis said it remained unclear to him what role such deacons had.
“What were these female deacons?” the pontiff recalled asking the professor. “Did they have ordination or no?”
Sorry
In the third paragraph that should have been in the seventeenth century not the eleventh century. I don’t know what came over me to make a mistake like that.
It was in the year 1611 the King James Version of the Bible was completed and made available. It reflected an anti-woman bias in some verses. However, it was an overall good translation. I expect
the same sexist bias could be found in some of the older translations. It was just that time in history.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. D.D.
The Pope is part of the horrible deception of Lucifer and his minions. For example: 1 Corinthians 11:14 – it is disgraceful of a man to have long hair.
However, back in the 1400’s, Leonardo da Vinci started a very close relationship with Cesare Borgia. Leonardo and the child of Rodrigo Borgia, who later became Pope Alexander VI, were lovers.
Pope Alexander VI decided that he would have his son, Cesare Borgia used as the model for Jesus in paintings that da Vinci was commissioned to do.
Cesare Borgia then allowed his father, Pope Alexander VI, to hire Leonardo to be a painter, architect and engineer for the family, while in secret he himself took da Vinci on as his lover. Cesare also had sex with his own sister Lucrezia, and killed his brother Giovanni in 1497.
So the image of Jesus we pray to is false and belongs to a rapist homosexual, incestuous beast. According to historical records, Jesus was certainly non-European in appearance. More likely African/ Asian in…
1 in every 50 priests is a child abuser. The Pope himself admits this, but has so far done nothing about this. The church only moves the priests around so that they can do the same thing over and over again. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2690575/Pope-Francis-admits-two-cent-Roman-Catholic-priests-paedophiles-interview-Italian-newspaper.html
It is important for all Dominicans to realise that Pope Francis has an alternative agenda for the world. He is NOT who all Christians think he is. The ‘Roman’ Catholic Church is not what you think it is. Uninhibited clues to the origins and practices of the papacy can be found in the movie series, the Borgias. Also, this Youtube video is highly educational – it is from the mouth of Pope Francis himself: https://youtu.be/dcpVrtv2t-M
Good Luck!
You are right about this.
Pope Francis is like no other pope. This one will take his followers over the brink.
Watch for radical changes.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. D.D.
The words of the Holy Father Pope Francis is usually misunderstood especially by the international Media. Those who hear of it and read it, tend to follow suit.
The Catholic Church has many women, consecrated nuns who could assist as women deacons. This is what Holy Father Pope Francis meant. In view of this, I personally state, women deacons are not necessary in the Catholic Church.
Furthermore, the Holy Spirit will guide the Catholic Church through Pope Francis to decide whether this Church is in need of women laity as deacons. It will not be based on human views especially those who are non-Catholics. Their words and voice make no difference in this decision.
Go to http://www.ewtn.com. The real text is there, the truth of what Pope Francis said. You can also go to http://www.vatican.va
The Methodists have been benifiting from female clergy and ministers for years and have been followed by the Anglicans. Male dominance of religion was only a man made thing imposed over the centuries. And don’t go quoting Bible for me because that is just as ‘man made’ as the rest of religion.. So I see no problem with the Roman Catholics taking on women in high places…they are usually far better caretakers anyway,
The Catholic world will be abuzz with this news. I will hear more of it and relevant discussions on EWTN – TV and EWTN Global Catholic Radio.
Men and women are completely different. Obviously, God created them this way for a good purpose. Each has a specific role in life as God ordained. Men, the husbands are the breadwinners. Women, the wives have children and take care of the home. This is how it was in those days dating back to some centuries.
No pun/discrimination intended; simply fact. Can you imagine seeing a pregnant woman as a deacon? Anyway it will be hard on her. Some get sick; have morning sickness during pregnancy. Some of them must remain indoors, even in the hospital during a certain stage of their pregnancy due to illness and under observation. I do not think it would be appropriate to ordain these young women as deacons. I should take this up with a priest. Not my will but Thine be done, O Lord!
Face the Facts, why don’t you face the facts that the bible is man made designed to create white supremacy…you called the pope the holy father, well I will give you a link to what the holy fathers do….http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/secrets-of-the-vatican/
You are wrong. The Bible is the inspired WORD OF GOD. It is not “man made”. For almost 2,000 years it has survived every attack from hell to destroy it including attacks from the Roman Catholic Church, the mother of harlots, and abominations of earth. Today it is the world’s best
seller, translated into more languages than any other book.
I don’t have time to debate this with you and this is not the place. But please be careful what you say about this precious book, the revelation of God Almighty, the Creator of the universe
(or universes) to man His puny creatures.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill, D.D., Ph.D. (Biblical Studies).
Many discussions will be held on this. I expect the international Media to also broadcast/publish it, giving their two by fours including Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
We even learn from our own words. 
Through inspiration, I hope.
The Media especially is following Pope Francis’ sermons/talks with interest.
If someday the Pope decides women could be deacons, I assume that they will not be young women of child-bearing age. Anyone thought of that? They will be women, whether married or single of a certain age, after child-bearing age. Interesting! I never thought of this until now.
In time, we will hear what the Holy Father, Pope Francis decides. He is the Head, the Leader of the Roman Catholic Church. He will surely be doing this in prayerful contemplation to the Blessed Trinity. Church decisions are never made without praying to God for His divine inspiration, to make the correct decision/change. The Holy Spirit is with His Church.
Similar Church regulations will apply for female deacons as for male deacons. They cannot celebrate Holy Mass. This is the role of Consecrated Priests. They can assist the Priest at Holy Mass, give Holy Communion (as Eucharistic Ministers), perform baptisms, marriages, funerals and Church devotions as Benediction. The thought crossed my mind, let’s call them the priests church assistants/helpers, on a spiritual level.
Women cannot be Priests! OK! Not even the Pope can change this (unless it is a bad pope – God forbid).
Prior to becoming a deacon, they must go through relevant studies and successfully complete it.
Get this straight folks.
The Priesthood is based on Our Lord Jesus Christ’s Priesthood. This is why priests do not get married.
Do not say they should be allowed to get married. When you think of it and state it, even arguing about it, keep in mind the numerous separations and divorces in the world; too many of them. This is another story.
Pope Francis’s opinion is not of particular interest to me but I respect the fact that it has a bearing upon millions of Roman Catholics. The role of women in church life is an issue evangelical denominations have had to deal with in recent years so it is not a surprise to see it being reviewed in the Catholic Church.
Both the New Testament and church history show us that there were female deacons in the early church.
Romans 16:1 refers to “…Phebe our sister, which is a servant (deacon) of the church which is at Cenchrea:”
The Apostle Paul said she was a “succourer” (helper) of many, and of myself also.” She helped many including the great apostle. This shows she served. Acts 6:1-6 shows that deacons in the early church had a business role in caring for the widows. But outside of the New Testament the writings of history show the deacons helped serve at the communion table, and in assisting candidates at their baptism.
Continuation …
In Romans 16:1,2 does not tell us exactly how Phebe served or helped. However it may be that her sphere or scope of service was a broad one. One thing we know is that she visited Rome to do “business”. Was it church business? Possibly. She also carried Paul’s epistle (letter) from Corinth to Rome, no small feat for a woman in the first century! Apart from the blessed Virgin Mary did any other woman in the New Testament carry the Word? This female deacon did! I believe there were others.
How can the R.C. in the 21 century be without women deacons? What happened to them? They tell us they are the church founded by Christ in the first century A.D. How could they have departed so far from the first century pattern of things? Why is this subject even coming up now for discussion?
I invite you to visit my website
http://www.livinghopeministries.ca
Click onto ARTICLES.
Read my article WOMEN IN MINISTRY.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
Paul was pristine in who can have the office of bishop and deacon, Phoebe was a sister, you are the one insuniating she had the role of deacon. She did not. Really if you want to convince your self or others Paul is a poor choice to use as your base for that assertion. Since Paul spelled it out for timothy. Let the romans do as they please, but if you are using the bible leave out your bias and I thinks. Too many are already using these to suit their own interests and opinions, don’t twist the bible.
Imperial prince:
Yes, Pheobe was a “sister” (Romans 16:1) meaning she was a female member in the family of God, in other words a sister in Christ. It does not mean she was a “religious” or a nun, or a member of a religious order.
The word of God clearly says she was a “servant of the church.” In your English Bible this word “servant” is translated from the Greek word ”diakonos” which means servant. It was used by Paul for men or women who were appointed to care for certain duties in the church.
It was because of the eleventh century Anglican bias against women it was translated “servant” here in Pheobes case. It is the very same Greek word Paul used for men who were ordained to serve in the church.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill, Evangelist.