I welcome Fr Paul Chamberlain’s tacit support for the admission of women to the deaconate (Letters, 20 September) but his hope flies in the face of history and the Magisterium’s practice.
If women were deacons in the third century, why are they not now? Whatever doctrinal/cultural/social reasons you come up with at heart they amount to no more than prejudice; the desire of men to have greater status than women and to have power over them.
The Magisterium’s first instinct is always the status quo. A shortage of priests will be solved by more vocations (not a change to the priesthood), a shortage of deacons will be solved by ordaining more men – never by admitting women. Where deacons are absent or in short supply dedicated lay people (some women!) may be recruited (eg in the Liverpool Archdiocese to preside at funerals) until more male deacons are ordained, at which point the lay people will return to the benches.
What the Magisterium never does is see the work of the Spirit in changing social circumstances. But alas there are few institutions in history that give up power voluntarily. In most cases power is "wrested" from its holders.
I whole heartedly share the view of the Irish women that the permanent deaconate will add yet another male layer to the Church and as such will provide another barrier to the legitimate aspirations of women. However, I fear their stance will not have the desired effect. They might do better by refusing to clean the palaces and cathedrals. Powerful men like their creature comforts!
John Murray, St Helens
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