Download or read book No Women in Holy Orders? written by J. N. M. Wijngaards and published by Canterbury Press Norwich. This book was released on 2002 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this book the author finds evidence that for six centuries, women were ordained as deacons in the Catholic Church. From the 3rd to the 10th centuries, women were ordained as deacons and translations of ancient liturgies show how they carried out numerous sacramental rites and were responsible for the community of faith. Since the Middle Ages, the Church has said only men can be deacons. Whether women can be ordained as deacons is now still under debate.This book will bring a positive encouragement to all who are conscious of the benefits that the ministry of women might bring to today's Catholic Church and looks to the past for inspiration for the future.