It seems that the issue of female deacons keeps springing up not just among casual bloggers and commentators on the internet, but by serious priests and canonists (those who deal with canon law, the Church’s legal stuff). Readers of this blog know I addressed this issue last year, but it keeps appearing, apparently with more vigor.
Posted below is a link to Dr. Edward Peters’ blog (Peters is an American canon lawyer well respected in Catholic circles) discussing a recent article by one Fr. Michael P. Orsi, chaplain at Ave Maria Law School in Florida. Dr. Peters has some issues with some of Fr. Orsi’s assertions, as do I, and does an excellent job explicating them. The issues are not merely with that female deacons (and thereby priests), but with the understanding of priestly celibacy and Church teaching.
I would suggest reading Fr. Orsi’s essay first, for context, and then looking at Dr. Peters’ examination. Dr. Peters links to Fr. Orsi’s article. All you need to do is follow the link below!
Tea leaves are for brewing tea, not for theological illumination.
Quidquid Est, Est! 