(Vatican Radio) A member of the newly-established commission set up by Pope Francis to study the question of the Diaconate for women spoke of her delight over the Pope's move. Dr Phyllis Zagano, who teaches at Hofstra University in Hampstead, New York, is one of the six female members of the Commission whose formation was announced on Tuesday. She is the author of some 20 books on religious studies including several on the issue of the Diaconate for women. Dr Zagano spoke to Susy Hodges about her reaction to her appointment and explained why she feels it is such an important and positive move on the part of the Pope.Listen to the interview with Dr Phyllis Zagano, member of the Commission set up by Pope Francis to study the question of the Diaconate for women: Pope Francis had first announced in May his intention to set up such a commission to study the question of the Diaconate for women during the course of a meeting with the Superior Generals of femal...
(Vatican Radio) A member of the newly-established commission set up by Pope Francis to study the question of the Diaconate for women spoke of her delight over the Pope's move. Dr Phyllis Zagano, who teaches at Hofstra University in Hampstead, New York, is one of the six female members of the Commission whose formation was announced on Tuesday. She is the author of some 20 books on religious studies including several on the issue of the Diaconate for women. Dr Zagano spoke to Susy Hodges about her reaction to her appointment and explained why she feels it is such an important and positive move on the part of the Pope.
Listen to the interview with Dr Phyllis Zagano, member of the Commission set up by Pope Francis to study the question of the Diaconate for women:
Pope Francis had first announced in May his intention to set up such a commission to study the question of the Diaconate for women during the course of a meeting with the Superior Generals of female religious orders.
Deacons are ordained ministers who can preach and preside at weddings, baptisms and funerals but unlike priests cannot celebrate Mass.
Describing herself as “honoured” to have been named as a member of this Commission, Dr Zagano said she hopes it will lead to deciding that women should be included in the office of the Deacon. She also believes such a move will enable the Catholic Church “to speak more forcefully to the world about the dignity and place of women, not only in the Church but also in society.”
null / Credit: Peter Hermes Furian via ShutterstockACI Prensa Staff, Apr 19, 2024 / 15:00 pm (CNA).The pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) on April 19 condemned the kidnapping and murder of a catechist in Burkina Faso, West Africa.In a news brief, ACN informed ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner, that catechist Edouard Yougbare was kidnapped on Thursday night by "terrorists, and his lifeless body was found near Zigni this morning."According to other local sources, along with Yougbare, who was a member of Saatenga parish in Fada Gourma, Burkina Faso, more people were kidnapped and murdered."We are heartbroken by the loss of Yougbare. He served his community faithfully and his death is a devastating blow for the people of Saatenga," lamented Spaniard María Lozano, press and public relations director of ACN International."Catechists in Burkina Faso are on the front lines, risking their lives for the good of their people. Just two months ago, ano...
Pope Francis addresses the faithful at his Wednesday general audience on March 27, 2024. / Credit: Vatican MediaVatican City, Apr 19, 2024 / 10:07 am (CNA).In the latest move in Pope Francis' reform of the Vatican judiciary, the pope issued a new motu proprio on Friday on the retirement age and benefits for cardinal judges and magistrates in the Vatican's court system.The April 19 motu proprio states that Vatican magistrates will retire at the end of the judicial year in which they turn 75 and cardinal judges at the age of 80, unless Pope Francis asks them to remain in office beyond the age limit.Magistrates and judges who wish to resign from office before the retirement age can only do so with the approval of the pope.The pope also has the prerogative to dismiss magistrates unable to fulfill their duties at any time. Upon the termination of their duties, magistrates will retain the rights to assistance and welfare provided to Vatican citizens and employees.The motu proprio, wh...
Archbishop Marek Jedraszewski of Krakow announced on April 14, 2024, the decision to begin the process of beatification and canonization of Helena Agnieszka Kmiec, a young lay missionary murdered in Bolivia in 2017. / Credit: The Helena Kmiec FoundationACI Prensa Staff, Apr 19, 2024 / 07:00 am (CNA).Archbishop Marek Jedraszewski of Krakow, Poland, announced the decision to begin the process of beatification and canonization of Helena Agnieszka Kmiec, a young lay missionary murdered in Bolivia in 2017.The prelate said that after the preliminary phase began in December 2022, he made the decision to officially open the process for Kmiec after having consulted the Polish Bishops' Conference and receiving the go-ahead from the Vatican's Dicastery for the Causes of Saints."With this edict I call on all those who have any document, letter, or information about the Servant of God, both positive and negative, to send them to the Metropolitan Curia of Krakow before June 30," the archbish...
