Pope Francis has announced the establishment of a new Commission for the Study of the Diaconate of Women after raising the question earlier this year.
In May, while addressing 900 leaders of female religious congregations, the Pope expressed an intention to “establish an official commission that could study the question” of the diaconate of women, “especially with regard to the first ages of the Church”.
During the question and answer session at the Plenary Assembly of Superiors General in Rome, the sisters told Francis that women had served as deacons in the early Church and asked: "Why not construct an official commission that might study the question?". “I am in agreement,” Francis replied, "I will look to do something".
- Sr Nuria Calduch-Benages, MHSFN, member of the Pontifical Biblical Commission
- Professor Francesca Cocchini, of the «La Sapienza» University, and of the Patristic Institute “Augustinianum,” Rome
- Msgr Piero Coda, President of the University Institute «Sophia», Loppiano, and member of the International Theological Commission
- Fr Robert Dodaro, O.S.A., President of the Patristic Institute “Augustinianum,” Rome and professor of patrology
- Fr Santiago Madrigal Terrazas, SJ, professor of ecclesiology at the Pontifical University “Comillas,” Madrid
- Sr Mary Melone, S.F.A., Rector of the Pontifical University “Anonianum,” Rome
- Fr Karl-Heinz Menke, professor emeritus of dogmatic theology at the University of Bonn and member of the International Theological Commission
- Fr Aimable Musoni, SDB, professor of ecclesiology at the Pontifical Salesian University, Rome
- Fr Bernard Pottier, SJ, professor at the “Institut d'Etudes Théologiques,” Brussels, and member of the International Theological Commission
- Professor Marianne Schlosser, professor of spiritual theology at the University of Vienana, and member of the International Theological Commission
- Professor Michelina Tenace, professor of fundamental theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome
- Professor Phyllis Zagano, professor at Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York