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Feamle Diaconate Follow Up


VoTeckam

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Thank you for your response Pio Nono.

I have a follow up question (maybe more, so we can continue over PM if that is better). In your reply you said, "In short, we only found a use for female deacons so long as there were no "seminarians" to do their job. Now that we have a "lower clergy" in the form of lectors and acolytes, there is no function for the female deacon to fulfill. " I need further clarification as to why famales can not be members of the permanent diaconate as the church has revisited the purpose of the diaconate since married men with no intention of being ordained into the priesthood are now admitted. Are women still excluded because it was not their traditional role (even though the "traditional" diaconate no longer exists)? Are we just afraid of the slippery slope?

I promise I am not trying to be difficult... just seeking answers! Thanks so much!

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JMJ
12/24 - Christmas Eve

VoTeckam,

No worries. Remember the other part of my post when I said that men were ordained by the laying-on of hands, whereas women never were. This is also very key. Men were [i]ordained[/i], whereas women [i]never were[/i]. Women were [i]called[/i] deacons, but they were never [i]ordained[/i] deacons.

As for the diaconate in general, there are a number of issues there. Suffice to say, it was not always viewed as a "step" to the priesthood as it came to be seen. There were many permanent deacons in the early Middle Ages, though the practice of ordaining married men is an innovation. Many men used to be ordained as deacons so that they could move and function officially within the ecclesiastical world (e.g. St. Francis of Assisi). They never intended on becoming priests.

I hope this helps; I can't tell if I'm being clear. Feel free to contact me if you have more questions. Peace!

Yours,
Rev. Mr. Pio Nono

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