In the recently-aired TV interview, Pope Francis said that he is personally not open to women ordained deacons. However the topic has been raised in submissions from across the world and clearly named in the 2023 Synod Synthesis Report as a matter for further consideration and reflection. Now Pope Francis has set up a studyContinue reading “Still on the Synodal Path: Women’s Access to the Diaconate”
Author Archives: elizabethyoungrsm
Liturgy that Forms Future Church Leaders
Dominique Galea, 1 August 2024 Today it is my great pleasure to share Dominique’s own words as she reflects on her ministry, liturgy and the diaconate. Thanks, Dominique! Elizabeth: Tell me a bit about your own ministry journey. I once heard a religious sister being interviewed on television saying that when she was born, sheContinue reading “Liturgy that Forms Future Church Leaders”
Deacons in Parramatta: Sharing the Good News
18 July, 2024 Often I have chased Deacons to hear their stories about life, calling and ministry. Well, the Diocese of Parramatta has just done the hard work for me. In Catholic Outlook, they have shared a series of interviews of their Deacons, which are all about Good News! Most recently, Deacon Tony Hoban wasContinue reading “Deacons in Parramatta: Sharing the Good News”
Towards the Synod for a Synodal Church, October 2024
Elizabeth Young rsm, 12 July 2024 I read through the new Instrumentum Laboris of the Second Session of the Synod 2021-2024 with an uplifted heart. It was not so much because of what was said, but the language used and the framing of the Agenda. The image of the eschatological feast, from the Prophet Isaiah,Continue reading “Towards the Synod for a Synodal Church, October 2024”
Feast of St Phoebe Webinar 2024
Australian Catholics Exploring the Diaconate, supported by Catholic Religious Australia, invite you to the St Phoebe Webinar 2024 Where are St Phoebe’s successors today? Join Geraldine Doogue AO, Fr Frank Brennan SJ, Dr Sandie Cornish and members of Australian Catholics Exploring the Diaconate to reflect on synodality and access for women to the diaconate, andContinue reading “Feast of St Phoebe Webinar 2024”
Another Response to Pope Francis on Women and the Diaconate
Deacon Anthony Gooley, 28 June 2024 28 June 2024 The most recent edition of the National Association of Deacons of Australia Newsletter, The Diaconate, features both my article of the last post, and another on the same topic. Deacon Anthony Gooley, who has spoken previously for our 2022 webinar and written for this blog, hasContinue reading “Another Response to Pope Francis on Women and the Diaconate”
Responding to Pope Francis’s Comments on Women as Deacons
Elizabeth Young RSM, 6 June 2024 I was asked to provide an article for the National Association of Deacons’ newsletter The Diaconate on this topic, and they were happy for me to share it here as well. On May 21, the American CBS television network aired a wide-ranging interview between anchor Norah O’Donnell and PopeContinue reading “Responding to Pope Francis’s Comments on Women as Deacons”
ACED leads Discerning Deacons’ prayer
St Phoebe Prayer for a Synodal Church Hosted by Australia June 4th Prayer Service For the Discerning Deacons’ St. Phoebe June prayer, Australian Catholics Exploring the Diaconate invite you to join our prayers and reflections from down under. We have chosen the theme of ‘Prophets of Peace’, and want to explore how our faith leadershipContinue reading “ACED leads Discerning Deacons’ prayer”
The Diaconate in the Australian Summary 2024 – Synod 2024 Consultation
While the news this week has been about Pope Francis’s comments about women and the diaconate with Holy Orders, his synodal processes and the study groups are still in discernment phase. We welcome these opportunities to keep the conversation alive, and to continue to share the value of Holy Orders and the diaconate as aContinue reading “The Diaconate in the Australian Summary 2024 – Synod 2024 Consultation”
Theological Perspectives on Women and the Diaconate, and an Ordination
16 May 2024 We have been following the Synod on Synodality and its active conversations about the diaconate, including the potential inclusion of women. Here is one of the key paragraphs: Different positions have been expressed regarding women’s access to the diaconalministry. For some, this step would be unacceptable because they consider it adiscontinuity withContinue reading “Theological Perspectives on Women and the Diaconate, and an Ordination”
Liturgy on the Margins 