Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Wednesday 8 April 2020

The Female Diaconate

Zenit reports that the Pope has appointed a new Connission to replace the previous one, which stalled on the question, to investigate the issue of potentially admitting women to the Diaconate.

His Holiness is quoted as pointing out that historically the female diaconate was, it appears, of a particular period and largely in just one region, Syria. He also says he cannot proceed without the proper theological and historical background being studied, and also speaks of it having a different vision from the male diaconate.

The report can be read here: https://zenit.org/articles/pope-creates-new-commission-for-the-study-of-the-female-diaconate/

We shall have to see what transpires.

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