Female Deacons?

"Similarly, deacons must be dignified, not deceitful, not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain, holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Moreover, they should be tested first; then, if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

Women, similarly, should be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in everything. Deacons may be married only once and must manage their children and their households well. Thus those who serve well as deacons gain good standing and much confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus." 1 Tim 3:8-13


These verses were taken from the New American Bible and were part of the 1st Reading for the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows celebrated today, September 15, 2009.

I recall reading earlier this year about the possibility of ordaining women into the diaconate at some point in the future. I imagine these verses are part of the "proof" that at one time, women as well as men, filled this role in the Christian community.

I was looking at the footnotes in my bible this morning after I read this passage. Here is what the footnotes in the New American Bible had to say about this verse 11 (with my emphasis):

"Women: this seems to refer to women deacons but may possibly mean wives of deacons. The former is preferred because the word is used absolutely; if deacons' wives were meant, a possessive "their" would be expected. Moreover, they are also introduced by the word "similarly," as in 1 Tim 3:8; this parallel suggests that they too exercised ecclesiastical functions."

I would certainly be in favor of ordaining women deacons. There could surely be no reason to withhold this ministry from women since it obviously was a legitimate one in the early Church. I'd like to know the reason it was suppressed in the first place. I would hate to think it was abolished because the powers-that-be were afraid that women might think they could then aspire to the priesthood...

Well, folks... What do you think?