As we head towards our St Phoebe Webinar for 2024, Elizabeth Young RSM has written an article on the topic of women deacons in Eureka Street. Sr Mary L Coloe PBVM has also shared a reflection in the Good Oil on ‘God does not have favourites’, which includes some relevant questions. Find excerpts of bothContinue reading “Women Deacons: Is it Time?”
Category Archives: Reflections
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”
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”
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”
Diaconal Spirituality: Part 2
Deacon Anthony Gooley, 23 February 2024 Last year, at our Australian Catholics Exploring the Diaconate Retreat on St Phoebe, Deacon Anthony Gooley kindly prepared and presented this reflection on ‘Diaconal Spirituality?’ It was then published in the National Association of Deacons of Australia newsletter. Both have given permission to republish here. Due to its length,Continue reading “Diaconal Spirituality: Part 2”
Diaconal Spirituality: Part 1
Deacon Anthony Gooley, 15 February 2024 Last year, at our Australian Catholics Exploring the Diaconate Retreat on St Phoebe, Deacon Anthony Gooley kindly prepared and presented this reflection on ‘Diaconal Spirituality?’ It was then published in the National Association of Deacons of Australia newsletter. Both have given permission to republish here. Due to its length,Continue reading “Diaconal Spirituality: Part 1”
The Diaconate in the Synod Synthesis
2 November 2023 On this Feast of All Souls, we have a chance to reflect on the Final Synthesis Report of the 2023 Synod on Synodality in Rome, and what it says about the diaconate. The official English version is available here. From this, I have extracted the passages relevant to our interest in exploringContinue reading “The Diaconate in the Synod Synthesis”
On the Side of the Synod
Elizabeth Young, 26 October 2023 The much-anticipated Synod on Synodality has been taking place in Rome throughout this month of October. Although the discussions have been private to allow for freedom and confidence in the Spirit, much has been happening both within the Synod hall and without. One of the side events was a “SymposiumContinue reading “On the Side of the Synod”
Do We Need Women Deacons?
Marie Therese Levey rsj, 3 August 2023 This week I am sharing an article written by Marie Levey rsj that she has kindly offered for publication. Marie lives in Sydney, New South Wales. In Chapter 16 of his letter to the Romans, St Paul writes “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deaconess ofContinue reading “Do We Need Women Deacons?”
Liturgy on the Margins 