A Vatican commission recently said ‘no’ to women deacons. Two members of the commission explain why December 5, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: deacons, News, Vatican, World News A newly released Vatican commission report on the issue of women deacons ultimately shows the profound theological mystery of Christ’s relationship to the church, as well as the rediscovery of the long-dormant diaconate itself, experts told OSV News.
Papal commission votes against ordaining women deacons December 4, 2025By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: deacons, Feature, News, Vatican, World News A commission set up by Pope Francis to study women deacons has voted against the possibility of ordaining women deacons while also supporting more study on the issue.
Over 20,000 permanent deacons serve church, but death, retirement bring overall number down June 16, 2025By Gina Christian OSV News Filed Under: deacons, Feature, News, Vocations, World News The nation’s Catholic permanent deacons were estimated to number more than 20,000 in 2024 — but “as is the case with priests in the United States, there are not enough new permanent deacons being ordained to make up for the numbers who are retiring from active ministry and dying each year,” according to a new report.
For deacon headed to Boston Marathon, running is a healing, spiritual encounter April 18, 2025By Nikki Rajala OSV News Filed Under: deacons, News, Sports, World News When Deacon Vincent Charles is on a training run and meets a car, instead of waving a greeting, he now offers them the Sign of the Cross.
Deacons are called to selflessness, men ordained at Jubilee Mass are told February 23, 2025By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: deacons, Feature, News, Vatican, World News The Feb. 23 ordination Mass at the Vatican was the culmination of a three-day Holy Year celebration that drew thousands of deacons, plus their wives and others, from more than 100 countries to Rome for communal prayer, discussion and celebration of the diaconate.
Corpus Christi embraces new mission of campus, marriage ministries November 6, 2024By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: Colleges, deacons, Feature, Local News, News, Seek the City to Come Corpus Christi’s status as an independent parish will soon change as the Bolton Hill faith community prepares to join with the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in a combined parish seated at the basilica.
Analysis: Permanent deacons are key to a ‘synodal missionary church’ — the synod needed them October 25, 2024By Kimberly Heatherington OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, deacons, Synodality Most of the world’s dioceses do not have permanent deacons as envisioned by Vatican II — in fact, the United States alone accounts for almost 21,000 of the some 50,000 permanent deacons globally in the Catholic Church today.
Popular Elvis tribute artist spreads the faith as deacon in Newark Archdiocese October 20, 2024By Sean Quinn OSV News Filed Under: Arts & Culture, deacons, News, World News Deacon Liguori does not believe he is “The King” reincarnated. Yet if you ask his fans, they’ll tell you that may be the best way to describe him.
Diaconate is ‘surrender’ to Jesus, U.S. archbishop says at ordination Mass October 3, 2024By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: deacons, News, Vatican, Vocations, World News Before the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica, a symbol of the Catholic Church’s unity behind the successor of St. Peter, 15 men laid prostrate to express their humility and take vows of chastity and obedience to their bishop.
Vatican doctrinal chief tells synod it’s not time for women deacons October 3, 2024By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: deacons, Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News “Rushing” to open the diaconate to women in the Catholic Church would short-circuit a necessary reflection on the relationship between ordained ministry and charismatic leadership, particularly as it impacts the participation of women in the church, said the head of the Vatican’s doctrinal office.
Packed with punch: Clergy reflect on what goes into good preaching September 18, 2024By George P. Matysek Jr. Catholic Review Filed Under: deacons, Feature, Local News, News, Vocations Priests and deacons throughout the Archdiocese of Baltimore take a wide variety of approaches to packing punch in their homilies. Some, including Father Murphy, sprinkle pop culture references into their messages. Others place the readings into historical context or explain how doctrinal or moral teachings apply in an increasingly secularized culture.
‘No, but…’: Despite papal denial, dialogue on women diaconate continues July 19, 2024By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: deacons, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Conversations about the role of women in the church and their ministerial functions are still being held at the highest levels of the Vatican.
