Dr Phyllis Zagano and Dr Joe Grayland discuss the diaconate and the actual need for deacons and women deacons. When we talk about the diaconate, we’re talking about many, many different things. What good is the diaconate? Why would anybody want to be a deacon, particularly a woman? Why would a woman want to be…

Women deacons are effectively working well in the Church, except they’re not called deacons and aren’t ordained. Grayland has worked with eight women across three parishes who served the community full time. While acknowledging the Church might need more priests, Grayland argues the last thing needed is an expanded clerical class through the permanent diaconate.