Front-row Vatican coverage:

Why Not Women Deacons?

by Dennis Coday

View Author Profile

dcoday@ncronline.org

Join the Conversation

September 22, 2012

"Why Not Women Deacons?" asks Emil A. Wcela, retired auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, N.Y., in the latest issue of America magazine.

Ordaining women as deacons who have the necessary personal, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral qualities would give their indispensable role in the life of the church a new degree of official recognition, both of their ministry and of their direct connection to their diocesan bishop for assignments and faculties.

Read the full story here.

Latest News

Pope Leo XIV greets people as he arrives in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, July 6, 2025, after reciting the Angelus at the Vatican. (CNS/Vatican Media)
Guest Voices
Opinion

Norah O'Donnell hopes Pope Leo XIV moves the church forward for women

Norah O’Donnell
Vatican

The Leo Chronicles: Letters for Leo

Pat Marrin
Sr. Mary Courtney visits a patient. Courtney is a member of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa. (Derrick Silimina)

Q&A with Sr. Mary Courtney, fighting HIV/AIDS, supporting mental health in Zambia

Damage can be seen next to the cross on the roof of the Holy Family Church in Gaza after it was hit in an attack July 17, 2025. At least three people died and another 10 were injured, including the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli, who sustained a slight injury to his right leg. (CNS/Courtesy of Aid to the Church in Need, UK)
Vatican News
Vatican

Palestinian leader calls pope as Gaza pastor recounts Israeli shelling of church

Justin McLellanOSV News

Advertisement