When we apply Newman’s principles to the proposal of admitting women to the diaconate, a clear picture emerges. Far from being a natural and organic development, this proposal reveals itself to be a rupture with apostolic tradition and the church’s theological coherence. Let us explore why this is the case.
The issue of admitting women to the diaconate has been, over the past decade, a subject of intense theological debate. In a recent interview with CBS News, Pope Francis unequivocally stated that women cannot be ordained as deacons.
Over the course of 2,000 years, the church has canonized myriad bishops, priests and deacons, but what is common to all of them is their path to holiness was marked by a unique sacrament: holy orders.
