The question of restoring women to the ordained diaconate surfaced during the Second Vatican Council and continued to resound in academic and pastoral circles well after the diaconate was restored as a permanent order in the church in the West. This volume contains twelve essays-five translated from Italian, three translated from French, and four in their original English-that answer the questions about the history and possible future of women deacons. Essays by: Yves Congar, OP Philippe Delhaye Peter Hünermann Valerie A. Karras Corrado Marucci, SJ Pietro Sorci, OFM Jennifer H. Stiefel Cipriano Vagaggini, OSB Cam Phyllis Zagano Ugo Zanetti, OSB
"Since the reestablishment of the permanent diaconate at the Second Vatican Council, some 42,000 men have been ordained throughout the world to serve as deacons. At the same time, there has been a parallel conversation about the possibility of women as ordained deacons. Dr. Zagano and her collaborators have collected important articles on the history and theology of the diaconate for women, some t
Emil A. Wcela, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus, Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York; Past Pres
"The ministry of women in the Church continues to be a vital issue. This new collection presents us with an ample dossier of carefully researched essays on the history of women deacons and the possibility of restoring this valuable ministry today. We owe Phyllis Zagano a debt of gratitude for collecting these pieces, many of them appearing for the first time in English. This book deserves serious
John Baldovin, SJ, Boston College School of Theology & Ministry
"This helpful collection of academic essays, many of them newly translated into English, shows that the idea of reconstituting the diaconate for women has been around for a very long time. Phyllis Zagano is second to none in the pursuit of this question, and her introduction summarizes beautifully what everyone should know who is interested in the issue."
Carolyn Osiek, RSCJ, Charles Fischer Professor of New Testament, Emerita, Brite Divinity S
