The Catholic Church is still not prepared to allow women to serve as deacons.

The Catholic Church is not ready to allow women to serve as deacons, a decision made by a Vatican commission. In a letter delivered to Pope Leo XIV and made public this week, the commissionformed by Pope Francis in 2020 to explore the issuestated that both historical and theological research "exclude the possibility" of permitting women to become deacons. The letter included a 2022 statement emphasizing that while this conclusion is strong, it does not offer a final judgment at this time.

Deacons are ordained ministers who can perform various priestly duties, such as weddings, funerals, and baptisms, though they cannot celebrate Mass. The diaconate is the third level of holy orders in the Catholic Church, below the priesthood (presbyterate) and the episcopate (bishops). Currently, the role is restricted to married men, though historical evidence suggests that women served as deacons in the early Church.

In 2016, Pope Francis expressed support for forming a commission to examine the potential for female deacons, and the issue generated considerable discussion during the 2023 and 2024 Synod on Synodality at the Vatican. Many hoped that under Pope Leo, the Church might reconsider its position on the matter. Cardinal Giuseppe Petrocchi, president of the commission, left open the possibility of revisiting the issue in the future, urging further theological and pastoral reflection.

"The ordination of women as deacons remains open for more theological study," Petrocchi wrote. "Given the divisive nature of this issue, it is important that the approach be supported by well-equipped global investigations, aimed at exploring these ecclesial horizons with thoughtful foresight."

The Vatican's decision has faced strong criticism from advocacy groups, including the Women's Ordination Conference (WOC), which has long pushed for women's ordination. Kate McElwee, the WOC's executive director, condemned the Vaticans stance, saying the refusal to even partially open the door to female deacons "will harm the global Church." She argued that the ongoing discussions suggested by the commission would not satisfy those advocating for change and raised concerns about the lack of female representation in the process.

The commissions composition raises doubts about the depth of consultation and whether it had the courage to respond to the needs of the times," McElwee said. She also expressed disappointment over a statement the commission considered, which stated that the masculinity of Christ, and therefore the masculinity of those who receive Holy Orders, is not accidental, but is an integral part of the sacramental identity. McElwee described this position as theologically unsound, adding that for many women, it would be the final straw in their struggle for equality within the Church.