There are over 47,000 permanent deacons, all men, most married, in the Roman Catholic Church today.The issue of women deacons was raised at the Second Vatican Council, only to die a quick death. However in 2019, at the Amazon Synod, 9 out of 12 language groups asked for woman deacons and Pope Francis responded, "If the gauntlet has been thrown down I will pick it up." Dr Phyllis Zagano is Professor of Religion at Hofstra University in New York. She explains to Pat Coyle of Irish Jesuit Communications what Pope Francis has been doing in regard to the issue. And she outlines the obstacles (or la ..read more

Thirty-six Popes were ordained deacons but never priests. Women deacons were present in the church from the time of St Paul, and the diaconate fell out of favour in the 12th century largely because of evolving clerical practices and disgruntled priests. Just some of the facts regarding the history of deacons in the catholic church that Dr Phyllis Sagano shared with Pat Coyle in this, part one of an extended interview on the diaconate in the catholic church. Dr Sagano is Professor of Religion at Hofstra University in New York, the author of many books, and a specialist on the diaconate. She was ..read more

Deirdre Soffe and Seamus Crimmins recently completed the M.Phil in theology at the Loyola Institute Trinity College Dublin. They both found the experience transformative in various ways. In this interview with Pat Coyle of Irish Jesuit Communications, they talk about powerful the impact the course made on them, the learning that took place, and the challenges they faced and were helped to overcome. They also relate important information and insights for anyone, young or old, interested in studying theology at various levels, at the Loyola Institute ..read more

In this final part of his interview with Pat Coyle of Irish Jesuit Communications, Jesuit theologian Jim Corkery sums up the late Pope Beneditct XV1's legacy. He assesses his 'conservatism' regarding the role of women in the Church and other controversial issues. Professor Corkery also gives his initial reaction to Archbishop Georg Ganswein's book on the late Pope (which was just about to be published at the time, with excerpts from it featuring in the media.). Ganswein was Benedict's personal secretary for many years. Finally, he gives his own summary regarding the legacy of Pope Benedict XV1 ..read more