Religion

Comment: the diaconate of women – It is time!

Female deacons in the Church? What would Pope Francis now check would indeed be no Revolution. The theological preparatory work is carried out. It’s just finally someone had to want to, says Christoph Strack.

A comment with a confession begin? Three, four Times in the year I give two handfuls of books to the lovely second-hand bookshop in my neighbouring street. In the Tour at the beginning of the year, a good 400 pages, scoring the rind, 1997, from the previous Millennium. Your title “the diaconate – A Ministry for women in the Church – A woman close real office?” was theologically exciting. But the Roman idleness was pulled past it. And – confession – I have not counted in this question.

One can be fooled. Pope Francis met on Thursday (13.05.2016) 850 upper interior of Mrs North. The women religious spoke to him – very well – on the question of the diaconate of women. And? The Church leader spoke out in a free, spontaneous speech for a Commission to clarify the possibilities.

Christoph Strack’s Church, expert at the DW

First the confusion was great. The women of the order had the head of the Church not only kicking with their mobile phones photographed, but then whose statement reported to journalists (you probably knew this was necessary). The Vatican itself-in-law, confirmed nothing, and denied nothing. Soon the subject of media all over the world busy, while the Catholic Blogs of the “alleged” papal Utterances squadron, to be put into perspective.

Nearly 24 hours after the scene in an official Text came from the Vatican as a confirmation. “No Less a person than the Pope thinks about the diaconate of women,” writes then also the editor-in-chief of “Radio Vatican English”, Bernd Hagenkord – a hot iron.

The topic of “diaconate of women” for 60 years, is discussed, at least since the early 1990s in Germany theologically very seriously. Just a few days ago, cardinal Lehmann, a diaconate of women. Founded in 1996, the “network diaconate of women” is – of course – in two weeks ‘ time when 100. German Catholic day in Leipzig, as in the case of former Catholics. Since 1998, the largest Catholic women’s Association concedes in Germany, with other initiatives, in each case on the 29. April the “day of the Deaconess”.

Courage to regulations for churches

Editor of the book, the wandered from my inventory to the antiquarian, by the way, the three recognized theologian Albert Biesinger, Marianne Heimbach-Steins and especially Peter Hünermann, honorary President of the European society for Catholic theology. Many of the bishops appreciate him.

Female Deaconesses, which is not? Oh what. In the early Church there was completely detached from the priesthood both male and female deacons. The was then (in a clerical expectant Church) in oblivion. Until the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) revived this Tradition. Since there was a male of “Permanent deacons”, in the German, and perhaps here and there a voice, but not on every continent. It is – as the Church once was brave – and also a sign that you will notice national bishops ‘ conferences values rules can stand without falling apart. So: On Commission! In the name of the Pope to work!

Pope Francis is occasionally good for a surprise

The world’s attention may have been just a Moment that is not owed. Pope Francis, this is certainly a pious man, wants to cause a stir and mixing it up in the Church. But: no Revolution is truly to be expected. Because in the context of the family Synod, he has made it clear that he does not want to certainly overthrow the Magisterium. But his occasional Utterances in free, spontaneous speech, his Insistence on the Reform of the Curia, his strong Advocacy for more Synodality in the Church (what is good English, that the Pope and the Church leadership put to the counsel of others, and perhaps also the involvement of the Church people should) and and and … This is in a System in which fresh air last rare was already close to Revolution. But it’s not a Revolution. So: Do You Dare?

“You can change”

These days, cardinal Walter Kasper has said, already 83 years old, the Conclave, the election of a Pope could theoretically be involved also women. The current regulations are not a divine right, “you can change”.

Another example: Until 100 years ago, would have been able to be in this man’s Church, – women, in principle, a cardinal. Until then, no ordained Ministry was a prerequisite for the collection of the cardinal (lay cardinals were formerly not an isolated case). The question is, how much the Church or even those in the Church Say, tolerated.

The theologian Hünermann is now 87 years old, cardinal Kasper, 83, Lehmann is 80 – you know, all three still have a challenging theological mood of the time after the Council experienced in younger only rarely. All three are undeniably Catholic, from the highest level of education, and they remained in the past few decades, loyal to the Church – and hoped-but, who knows. Now a 79-Year-old Pope from one of the Ends of the world, to show what all goes on.

This Morning I looked again to the bookcase. Since the ribbon “women’s ordination – state of the debate in the Catholic Church is still” in 1996. For the time being, the antiquarian must now wait a little longer.