Can there be female deacons?

[PeaceInChrist]

A woman shall not receive the laying on of hands as a deaconess under forty years of age, and then only after searching examination. And if, after she has had hands laid on her and has continued for a time to minister, she shall despise the grace of God and give herself in marriage, she shall be anathematized and the man united to her.

Here is an interesting canon (15) from Chalcedon, an ecumenical council. Is the laying on of hands in this case merely the giving of a blessing?

*I am not questioning dogma. I consent fully to magisterial authority.

 

[Bookcat]

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=10695911&postcount=26

and

At the end of the document from the ** International Theological Commission** From the Diakonia of Christ to the Diakonia of the Apostles* it is stated:

"With regard to the ordination of women to the diaconate, it should be noted that two important indications emerge from what has been said up to this point:

1. The deaconesses mentioned in the tradition of the ancient Church - as evidenced by the rite of institution and the functions they exercised - were not purely and simply equivalent to the deacons;
2. The unity of the sacrament of Holy Orders, in the clear distinction between the ministries of the bishop and the priests on the one hand and the diaconal ministry on the other, is strongly underlined by ecclesial tradition, especially in the teaching of the Magisterium.

In the light of these elements which have been set out in the present historico-theological research document, it pertains to the ministry of discernment which the Lord established in his Church to pronounce authoritatively on this question."

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/cti_documents/rc_con_cfaith_pro_05072004_diaconate_en.html

(not a document of the Magisterium of course but they do very fine Theological work --headed by then Cardinal Ratzinger…)

 

[R_C]

This just came up

Theologian dismisses call for women ‘deacons’

Theologian Father Manfred Hauke said recent comments from a German archbishop appearing to support a particular diaconate for women are confusing to Catholics and others.

“Allowing women to be deacons would create great confusion for the faithful,” Fr. Hauke, a professor of patristics and dogmatics at the Theological Faculty of Lugano, told CNA April 30.

Female “deacons” would not be ordained to the sacrament of Holy Orders, and that to call them deacons would be “ambiguous,” Fr. Hauke said. Women could “receive a benediction for services of charity” but not ordination, he clarified.

Fr. Hauke said that that most people who advocate for women deacons “ultimately want women in the priesthood.”

 

[DeusSalusNostra]

Well, yes sorta.
Adult men have the male version of nuns, which are monks.
From what I understand, their duties, lives, and even their clothing are quite similar…both male and female.
Just a different title to differentiate gender…and, of course, they are separated by gender.

That’s like saying there is a female version of a man called a woman.

Please remember the Theological and Philosophical Teaching on Difference; Men and Women are equal but** NOT** the same.

Monks and Nuns are different too!

There is a different rite prescribed for the Profession of Monks and the Profession of Nuns.
And also, one should bear in mind that Monks generally take Minor Orders (or Ministries) so that they can participate in the Liturgy appropriately, as a Monk should. Females cannot receive such Minor Orders or “Ministries”.

 

[Surnaturel]

Yes, unlike the ontological impossibility for a woman to be a priest, there is nothing prohibitive against a deaconess. The question is whether such a decision is prudent in today’s secular climate and demands for female priests. I believe that some autocephalous Orthodox churches have deaconesses but their role is somewhat minor and it doesn’t seem to be encouraged.