02/07/2026 15:00 - 17:10

HALL: Pola - A106

Contact: Forestier L.

Chair: Noceti S.

In the Roman Catholic church, the Synodal path (2021-2024) has showed how gender questions are at stake in different aeras, especially in ecclesiology. Despite the great diversity of societies, cultures and political rights granted to women and men across different continents, the diocesan, national and continental syntheses, and finally the Final Document of 26 October 2024, adopted by Pope Francis, have shown the extent to which profound reforms must be undertaken to respect the equal dignity of all baptised faithful, regardless of their gender, age, social status, etc.
The old arguments, used by generations of theologians to justify the fact that only baptised men can be validly ordained as deacons, priests or bishops, have shown their limitations. Furthermore, the presence of women in positions of high responsibility in local churches and in the Roman Curia, as well as the growing involvement of women in biblical exegesis, church history, dogmatic theology, canon law, etc., are contributing to a shift in the balance.
This panel aims to study the more specific question of the diaconate from an ecumenical, interdisciplinary and international perspective. We welcome proposals for papers on the question of the diaconate in Christian churches, particularly on how women and men can respond to this vocation. This panel will also be an opportunity to study the epistemological questions, particularly in relation to history and the social sciences.