Beharrlich für eine geschlechtergerechte diakonische Kirche: Geschichte und Tätigkeit des Netzwerks Diakonat der Frau.

The Network for the Diaconate of Women advocates for the sacramental ordination of women as deacons in the Roman Catholic Church. It was founded in 1997 and has launched various initiatives in German dioceses. Although there are officially no female deacons in the Catholic Church, the first 13 women were certified in 2002. Despite resistance and criticism, the network has continued to fight for the training of female deacons. In 2019, it launched its third diaconate circle with the theme "Diaconal Leadership Services for Women". The fifth synodal assembly in March 2023 voted overwhelmingly in favor of opening the sacramental diaconate to women, which the network considers a success of its work. It emphasizes the need to exercise the diaconate jointly by women and men in order to achieve a gender-equitable and diaconal church. [Extracted from the article]