"Restoring Orders": A Conversation with Phyllis Zagano on September 26

 

"Restoring Orders": A Conversation with Phyllis Zagano on September 26 Stained glass window depicting sacraments of marriage, holy orders, and extreme unction, narthex of Saint John Neumann Catholic Church, Sunbury, Ohio. Nheyob/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0 The role of women in the church, and the question of ordaining women to the diaconate more specifically, has emerged as a leading concern of the ongoing Synod on Synodality. Join us on Thursday, September 26, at 7:00 p.m. ET as we discuss this issue with Dr. Phyllis Zagano, widely considered the world’s foremost expert on the restoration of women to the ordained diaconate in the Catholic Churches. Using Dr. Zagano’s latest book, Just Church: Catholic Social Teaching, Synodality, and Women (Paulist Press, 2023), as a jumping-off point, we’ll look at the historical and theological arguments surrounding the women’s diaconate, examine where the church fails to uphold its own Social Teachings with regard to gender equality, and investigate the nature of holy orders and the relationship between ordination, baptism, and the universal priesthood. We’ll also chart the evolution of the “synodal church” from its origins in Vatican II through the present day, and some of the ways Pope Francis has both advanced his “ecclesial dream” of a more participatory church and hedged against more aggressive reforms. This event is free and open to all. Donations are graciously accepted and can be made here. Registration is required and is available at the button below. Register Here Phyllis Zagano, PhD, holds a research appointment at Hofstra University in New York. She has lectured throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Her many awards include the 2014 Isaac Hecker Award for Social Justice from the Paulist Center Community in Boston. Dr. Zagano’s groundbreaking work on women in the diaconate led to her appointment in 2016 to the Pontifical Commission for the Study of the Diaconate of Women. Synodal Events in September Earlier this month, Root & Branch in the UK inaugurated a season of synodal preparation with their three-day event, "Empowering Ourselves: Flourish and Thrive." In her introductory remarks, Root & Branch member Mary Varley cited the French poet and lay theologian Charles Péguy's poem "God's Dream": "It's my dream you dream, my house you build, my caring you witness, my love you share, and this is the heart of the matter." Opening speakers Joan Chittister, OSB, and Dr. Mary McAleese returned from their roles as keynoters at last year's Spirit Unbounded conference to offer messages of hope rooted in the power of the people of God. "We are the children of a long biblical history steeped in despair and searching for hope," Sr. Joan said. "We all live in a 'good-event/bad-event' time, which we must make the best of when one age is dying and a new one is coming to live." Keynote speaker Tony Flannery, CssR, presented on day two. Recordings, reflections, and event coverage are available at the Root and Branch website. This Saturday, September 14, Catholic Church Reform International (CCRI) invites all to an African Continental Presentation on the Synod featuring Alloys Nyakundi, MPS, Fr. Andrew Kaufa, Leocadie Lushombo, PhD, and Mary Wahome. Speakers will discuss various African perspectives and initiatives related to the Synod, with a special focus on the contributions of young Catholics. The event will be live-streamed beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET, and can be accessed by clicking here. (For those who are unable to attend at 11:00, a second screening will be available at 8:00 p.m. ET.) CCRI is planning additional presentations from the various continental assemblies throughout the month: dates, times, and descriptions are available here. On Wednesday, September 18, at 1:00 p.m. ET, the Women in the Church Working Group of the Association of US Catholic Priests (AUSCP) presents "Should She Stay or Should She Go Now?", the first of three "Conversation in the Spirit" events between priests and women. Young women, educators, mothers, priests, and others concerned about retaining the vibrant presence of young women in the church are encouraged to participate. Keynote speaker Julia Oşeka, a young adult Synod delegate, will also be participating. Registration information is available here.