The Catholic Observer: Vatican Commission’s Report Rejecting Ordaining Women As Deacons Draws Fierce Criticism
The U.S.-based Women’s Ordination Conference (WOC), which supports ordination of women as deacons and priests, said it is “appalled by the Vatican’s refusal to open its doors to women, even a crack.”
“Make no mistake: This is a decision that will harm the global Church,” WOC said in a statement. “Few will have the patience to excavate hope from the Vatican’s claim there is ‘need for further study’ on the question of women deacons. If further study were truly needed, this commission might have engaged more women in its efforts and taken seriously the responses submitted by the People of God after a worldwide call for input.”
WOC pointed to biblical and historical evidence that for centuries, “women have served in the tradition of Phoebe,” a deacon cited in one of the letters of St. Paul.
“Women of every generation have experienced and expressed their vocation from God to serve the church in ordained ministry,” the organization said. “Today, the diaconal, and priestly, work of women keeps the church functioning around the world.”
Like numerous other advocates who support ordaining women as deacons, WOC condemned the commission’s split vote at its February 2025 session, with five members endorsing this statement: “The masculinity of Christ, and therefore the masculinity of those who receive Holy Orders, is not accidental, but is an integral part of the sacramental identity, preserving the divine order of salvation in Christ. Altering this reality would not be a simple adjustment of ministry but a disruption of the nuptial meaning of salvation.”
WOC called that “a deep, and theologically unsound, insult” and said: “For many women, this will be the final straw.”