Jutta Mader-Schömer and Monika Amlinger, 27 February 2025
Like our ACED submission to the Study Commission on Women Deacons and/or Study Group 5, the groups Netzwerk Diakonat der Frau and Vernetzung berufener Frauen have shared their own contribution. Please see their accompanying email below. The link to their very well-researched paper, ‘Sacramental diaconate of women’ is here. They also included a number of testimonies and support letters along with their submission. Thank you so much for sharing with us!
Dear members of the Study Commission,
We were delighted to learn that you are continuing your work on research into the diaconate of women. This meets a widespread concern in the world church, as the World Synod has shown.
We see the opening up of the sacramental diaconate as an important step towards further diaconal church development, which Pope Francis has called for on many occasions. Many Christians would like to see the promotion of called women and the sacramental acceptance of their willingness to serve. We see the possibility of this on the basis of pastoral requirements and the same baptismal dignity. What women are already doing today as private individuals would then have the official confirmation and backing of the Church, to which they feel they belong and are committed.
Sacramental ordination would mean that the willingness to follow and the longing for protection and recognition of called women would be taken seriously. This clear sign is also important for many people who already encounter women in a diaconal capacity on a daily basis.
To ensure that this perspective is also taken into account alongside historical research, we are sending you two different documents today:
On the one hand, we are sending you testimonies of women called to the diaconate, which have been sent to us with the request that they be forwarded to you. Many of these women would be happy to talk to you personally about their vocation and longing for the diaconate.
On the other hand, we are also sending the paper for the worldwide church dialogue, which was written by the Diaconate of Women Network on the occasion of the World Synod.
We kindly ask you to take note of it and are always available to answer any questions you may have.
In deepest solidarity, may God bless you.
Dr. Jutta Mader-Schömer, Netzwerk Diakonat der Frau
Dr. Monika Katrin Amlinger, Vernetzung berufener Frauen*
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Liturgy on the Margins 