In preparing for this blog, I reviewed the various Universal RC Church issues in the news. What is making headlines? Well, there is Pope Francis’s encyclical on the environment; there is talk about the Synod on the Family in October; and there is discussion around one of Ireland’s bishops, Leo O’Reilly, who is proposing the ordination of married men to the priesthood, and ordaining women to the permanent diaconate, with the hopes of preventing a crippling shortage of priests in Ireland. I am choosing to comment on the latter issue from my list of possible topics.

I assume that if the Irish Catholic Church decides to ordain married men, the first candidates, would be the priests who left active ministry. It is true, that the RC Church already accepts married Anglican priests into the Roman Catholic priesthood. It seems that "ordaining married men" is a very plausible solution to the "priest shortage" in Ireland and elsewhere.

However, ordaining women to the permanent diaconate is another "kettle of fish". There are people from all perspectives, in the Church, who believe, ordaining women to the diaconate is a slippery slope. After all, maybe women will not be satisfied with playing second fiddle. Apparently, the duties of male and female deacons were distinctly different in the early Church. In other words, an ordained female deacon was not necessarily in line for the ministry of priesthood. Bishop Leo O’Reilly of Kilmore Diocese of Ireland has proposed the institution of ordained female deacons, to the Irish Bishop’s Conference for discernment, but, what would He have these women doing in their ministry? All this information is yet to be clarified.

My caution is that women will continue their "helping" role in the Church as ordained deacons, but not assume any real leadership. Further, the ordination of married men to the priesthood, definitively delays any RC Church approval of women priests. Therefore, is ordaining women to the permanent diaconate, a step forward for Catholic Women and the Universal Church? I believe, it all depends on what ministerial duties comprise the women’s diaconate. Do their duties involve real leadership? If so, then it is a great step forward, if not, then, women might do well to reject the permanent diaconate.

What is positive and hopeful about Bishop Leo O’Reilly’s proposal, is that a Bishop in Ireland, has listened to His parishioners and has acted to involve the Irish Bishop’s Conference. The Irish Bishops Conference has been silent about any strategic planning they may or may not have, in the face of the depleting number of priests. Kudos to you Bishop Leo O’Reilly! I have said here on this website, I hope for and predict that renewal for the entire Universal Church will come from Ireland. Perhaps, Bishop O’Reilly’s courage to listen and act on behalf of the Irish Catholic People of God, in the Diocese of Kilmore, is a sign of that Irish Renewal, I so long and pray for continually.

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