There is more than just evidence, but:
QUOTE St. Paul does mention the woman, “Phoebe who is a deaconess of the church of Cenchreae” (Rom. 16:1). He also mentions “women” when he discusses the qualifications of a deacon in 1 Tim. 3:8-13. Because St. Paul discusses “women” in this paragrap
I do not allow a woman to teach, or to exercise authority over men" (1 Tim. 2:12) occurs only two paragraphs earlier in the very same letter to Timothy (when St. Paul is speaking about the conduct of women in public assemblies), one must also assume that it is these very women deaconesses that St. Paul does not allow “to teach, or to exercise authority over men.” So, these deaconesses did not function the same as the men deacons who could teach and preach, and who were given authority in the Church.
Now, it is common knowledge that deaconesses in the early Church were not admitted to the hierarchical diaconate which was a sacrament and part of Holy Orders. No doubt, women sporadically preached and administered the sacraments as deacons in various places but these cases were always looked upon as abuses of Church law by misguided bishops. And, Church councils were quick to correct the abuse. END QUOTE
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