The Vatican closes the door to women deacons, but not with a final judgment

The Vatican has published a comprehensive summary of the work carried out by the Study Commission on the Female Diaconate, which since 2021—and in continuity with previous research initiated under Pope Francis' pontificate—has been analyzing the possible admission of women to the diaconate. 

The report, signed by the Commission's president and its secretary, Monsignor Denis Dupont-Fauville, summarizes four years of historical, theological, and pastoral research, as well as the doctrinal tensions that have prevented consensus from being reached. It was recently presented to Pope Leo XIV as material for his discernment.

The summary delivered to Pope Leo XIV states that various Vatican commissions have confirmed the historical existence of figures called deaconesses, present in the early Church. However, studies agree that this ministry was neither homogeneous nor equivalent to the male diaconate. The functions, rites of institution, and theological significance varied considerably between communities, and it cannot be said that there was a sacrament of Holy Orders in the full sense.

Lack of sacramental evidence

The Commission chaired by Monsignor Dupont-Fauville reaffirms that, according to the current state of research, there is insufficient basis for attributing a sacramental character to the ancient female diaconate. Although some texts might suggest otherwise, the overall assessment of Tradition points to a “ministry." sui generis”, detached from the apostolic succession. This thesis was widely approved within the organization.

The document insists that historical data alone cannot resolve the issue: the final decision must be doctrinal and magisterial. The Commission acknowledges the existence of two opposing theological lines.

One emphasizes that diaconal ordination is ad ministerium —oriented toward service, not priesthood—which would open a possible path for the ordination of women, insofar as their functions are limited to non-sacramental ecclesial services. The other emphasizes the unity of the sacrament of Holy Orders and its spousal meaning in the three degrees (deacon, priest, bishop), rejecting the possibility of a sacramental female diaconate.

Split votes and lack of consensus

Internal voting reflects that there are unresolved doctrinal challenges and shows that many of those consulted are in favor, but this lack of convergence makes a cautious approach advisable.

The Commission received 22 dossiers sent to the synodal process, but “they cannot be considered the voice of the Synod, much less of the People of God as a whole.” They express a wide range of positions: from those who invoke baptismal equality and women's access to all degrees of the Order, to those who warn against a change considered contrary to Tradition or influenced by contemporary sociocultural trends. 

According to the summary, the synodal proposal to study the issue was one of the most controversial, with a high number of votes against it.

Conflicting anthropological and theological arguments

Arguments in favor of women's ordination are based on the equal dignity of men and women and on a gender-neutral understanding of the representation of Christ. In contrast, other theologians assert that Christ's masculinity has sacramental relevance and that modifying this point would imply altering the nuptial meaning of the relationship between Christ and the Church.

Many women contributed their pastoral experience, especially in communities without a stable presence of priests. Several indicated that they felt a vocation to the diaconate as the sacramental fulfillment of their service; others expressed the need for visibility, authority, and ecclesial recognition. The Commission notes, however, that personal dedication or desire does not in itself constitute a sufficient theological criterion for ordination.

Towards new ministries and greater shared responsibility

One of the points of greatest consensus was the need to expand lay ministries, especially those that can be entrusted to women, following the line of Spiritus Domini y Antiquum Ministerium. The Commission asserts that this development would be a prophetic sign, especially in contexts where gender discrimination persists. The proposal was approved almost unanimously.

The final text notes that in large parts of the world, the permanent diaconate is little known or practically non-existent, which makes it difficult to understand its true meaning. Therefore, before discussing its possible opening to women, the Church should “clarify its sacramental identity and ecclesial mission.” This task is presented as a priority in order to move forward in discernment.