Elizabeth Young rsm and Gail Gill are not deacons in our Church, but Elizabeth has been doing the work of a deacon in country NSW while Gail’s recent job has been the formation of men who seek to become permanent deacons. For many years, women could be “readers” at Mass but only men could be commissioned as lectors. Our bishops showed some tact by refraining from commissioning men to the office when they could not commission women. Remember the minor orders? They include lector and acolyte, for centuries restricted to men. Similarly, a woman cannot give a homily at Mass but she can lead a reflection.
Whether you think the Church should read the signs of the times or be renewed by looking at a much earlier, less structured Church, or both, these women have a lot to contribute to the discussion of the place of women in our Church and especially to the question of the ordination of women to the diaconate.
The women and men, clerical and lay, who were members of our Plenary Council discerned that the Church should witness to the equal dignity of women and men (Decree 4). Their view is that women should be heard, valued, and represented in decision-making and, further, they should be supported and formed to participate in ministries. Finally, they should be properly remunerated for their work. The decrees of the Plenary Council are now being discerned by the Holy See. Should there be a decision that the diaconate be open to women, the Australian bishops will examine how to best implement it.
Elizabeth is an Instituted Catechist and Parish Life Coordinator in the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes, NSW. She also has the diocesan roles of Director for Catholic Mission; secretary of the Diocesan Pastoral Council; secretary of the Diocesan Ecology, Peace and Justice Commission; and local coordinator for the Plenary Council/Synod. In 2021, Elizabeth founded the blogsite Liturgy on the Margins.
Gail has worked in Catholic education in Sydney and Broken Bay for over 30 years as a teacher and in leadership positions. In 2009, she became a consecrated member of a ministry the then-Bishop David Walker had established for women in the diocese.
On Wednesday 13 March from 7pm to 8.30pm, in the Crypt of St Patrick’s Church, Grosvenor St, The Rocks, you can hear Elizabeth and Gail speak about their work and ask why women cannot be ordained to the permanent diaconate. No need to book. Entry by donation.
For more information, please contact the Catalyst for Renewal on catalyst-for-renewal@outlook.com or phone (02) 4971 4090.
