..Among the Orthodox :
The practice of deacons is constant since the XIX°
century under different forms. Friars and sisters can be found in Lutheran
Church, engaged through their vows into all charitable and social needs. They
could be considered similar to catholic religious figures, ordination being
reserved to clergymen.
Their interest for the feminine diaconate is really
intense. It's restoration wouldn' t create big difficulties because their
diaconal institution never was officially suppressed.The most important
historical sign of this movement was given at the inter-othodox theological
Congress in Rhodes in 1988 initiated by the ecumenical patriarch Dimitrios I°.
The apostolic order of deaconesses must live
again…Hands were imposed on a deaconess… during the divine liturgy…She tooks
two vows, donned the deacon's dress…Such a revival would give an answer to the
numerous needs and requirements of the modern world…It would allow to specifically
underline the woman's dignity and to explicity recognize her contribution to
the Church as a whole.
These conclusions were mentioned again, in 1990 in Crete, in Greece in
1994 and in 1995 by the ecumenical
patrarch of Constantinople who evoked the impossibility to ordain women priest
but that "there is no difficulty to ordain them deaconesses in the
Orthodox Church.In Istambul in 1999, women from all continents asked for
the same request.
This strong upsurge of the Orthodox Church could encourage
the Catholic Church who is so close to establish a feminine diaconal ministry.
This would be an outstanding ecumenical overhang and an answer to the sometimes
hazardous achievements of the Protestant Churches.
....Among Protestantism
In the reformed churches, more numerous in latin countries, the
claim of women in pastorate positioned the ministerial problem. Diaconate, however, as a consecrated ministry,
and was restored and there is a new
tendancy to encourage an ordained diaconate.
Anglicanism differenciates itself from Protestant
Churches.There have been deaconesses from the XIX°century. In these times they
were similar to nuns especially because of compulsory celibacy. But in 1985,
the synod of England created women –deacon, different from deaconesses as they
were admitted into sacred orders like men. The synod went further on and in
1992 voted for the ordination of women as priests.
The admission of women in episcopacy had been ratified in 1988
during the Lambeth conference.
