Booking: Symposium on Women and Diakonia

An international symposium on Women and Diakonia: The Ministry of Women and Diaconal Ordination in the Catholic Church, hosted by the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology and the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge from Friday, 24 November 5pm to Saturday 25 November 2023 5.30pm.

Topics for discussion will be:

-Women, the Diaconate, and the Synod: What Happens Next?
- What were women deacons in the early Church?
- How might their ministry be revived for the Church today?
- Mary and the diaconal ministry
- Fair and Delectable Places: discerning Diakonia in the wounded ecclesial body.

Since the beginning of the Church women have ministered in a variety of roles, including as catechists, counsellors, pastoral workers (such as Parish Sisters), educators, theologians and in spiritual accompaniment. More recently many Catholic women have become chaplains to hospitals, prisons, schools and universities. The synthesis documents from the ongoing Synod of the Catholic Church voice a strong call across the Church for the recognition and development of women's ministry. How should the Church, always in fidelity to magisterial teaching, recognise and enable women's vocations to ministry, so that women in ministry are not just employees or volunteers?

The original Greek word for ministry in the New Testament is diakonia, and it also attests to women deacons, such as Phoebe. What were women deacons, what did they do? How and why did they disappear? How might their ministry be revived, in order to meet the needs of the Church today? How would this be enabled without clericalization, i.e. so that the authentic ministerial expressions of the lay vocation are also fostered without diminishment? What is the relationship between Our Lady and the diaconal ministry?

In this conference hosted by the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology at the Faculty of Divinity of Cambridge University, distinguished theologian, Prof. Phyllis Zagano and Prof. Bernard Pottier SJ, both former members of the inaugural Papal Commission on Women and Diaconate, will explore the historical legacy of women in diaconal service and its contributions to the broader Church community. Other speakers include two women university chaplains (one lay, one a religious sister), and a Greek Orthodox theologian offering an ecumenical perspective.

We look forward to your presence at this enlightening conference, where your voice will contribute to a vital conversation for the Catholic Church.

You can Join Us In Person or Online

Ticket Prices: Full: £45 Student: £25 Online: £20 Online/Student £10

The drinks reception on Friday, refreshments and lunch on Saturday are included in the ticket price.

Bursaries available.

Find more information and to book your place click HERE