Graphic of an e-postcard. Three people and a child gathered around a table with bread and wine. One woman wears a bright red sash. The text reads 'So All Can Be At The Table -- Restore Women Deacons.' A starburst below reads: 'Open the Diaconate!'

So All Can Be at the Table Restore Women Deacons

"I commend to you my sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church…" (Rom: 16)

Dear Friend of Women's Equality in the Church:

Please join faithful Catholics worldwide who are working for expanded roles for women in the Church. FutureChurch is asking you to send a postcard to Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Muller, Prefect Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, with copies to a number of Vatican officials, as well as (if you wish) a copy to your local bishop

In December 2009, Pope Benedict made changes in canon law to clarify the role of deacons. According to female diaconate expert, Dr. Phyllis Zagano, the changes “may have ended the controversy over whether women can be ordained deacons.”

One of our four requests 2008 Synod on the Word was to expand opportunities for women to preach. Opening the permanent diaconate to women will end the centuries long silencing of women in the proclamation of the Word.

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Your message will be sent to Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Muller Prefect, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Other responsible authorities in the Church will receive a carbon copy. If you would like, you can also send a copy to your local bishop.

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"Pope Benedict XVI" <benedictxvi@vatican.va>,
"Papa Benedetto XVI" <benedettoxvi@vatican.va>,
"Mauro Cardinal Piacenza Prefect, Congregation of the Clergy" <clero@cclergy.va>,
"Cardinal Antonio Canizares Llovera, Prefect Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments" <cultdiv@ccdds.va>,
"Archbishop Kurt Koch, President, Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity" <office@christianunity.va>,
"Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace" <pcjustpax@justpeace.va>

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Dear Brothers in Christ,

Thank you for your service in our Church.  We request that you honor the constant teaching and tradition of the Catholic Church by restoring the female diaconate.*

Women's voices are silenced in our churches, creating significant pastoral challenges to evangelizing 21st century women and men accustomed to seeing women in professional, corporate and civil leadership roles. If we wish to reach the next generation, Catholic preaching must reflect the gender balance found in Jesus and St. Paul's inclusive practice.

Opening the permanent diaconate to women would allow women to preach and exercise other important ministries on behalf of the People of God, under the guidance of their bishops.

I would very much appreciate your reply

*In 1974 a member of the International Theological Commission Cipriano Vagaggini OSB, Cam. (1909-99) published detailed research demonstrating the Church's tradition of women deacons, who were ordained within the sanctuary by the bishop, in the presence of the presbyterate, and by the imposition of hands.

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