Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
The election of Pope Leo XIV as the head of the Catholic Church has reignited a long-simmering question in the Catholic Church: should women be ordained as deacons?
Deacons can preach, baptize, and officiate weddings and funerals, but not consecrate the Eucharist. Under Pope Francis, the Vatican launched commissions to study the issue and elevated women to senior positions — moves seen as laying the groundwork for potential change. Supporters say ordaining women would restore an early Church tradition, not break with it, and make the Church more inclusive and responsive to modern society. Opponents say the records indicate the opposite and that it would violate longstanding doctrine. They warn it could blur theological lines, sow confusion about the priesthood, and open the door to demands for women priests—something the Church has firmly rejected. They also point out that women already hold influential, non-ordained leadership roles.
Now, under new leadership, we ask: Is It Time for the Catholic Church to Ordain Women as Deacons?
Arguing Yes: Casey Stanton, Co-director of Discerning Deacons
Arguing No: Pia de Solenni, Theologian; Former Chancellor of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange in California
Nayeema Raza, Journalist and Host of "Smart Girl Dumb Questions", is the guest moderator
Additional Debates to Watch:
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#opentodebate #debate #religion #catholicchurch #catholicfaith #deacons #churchtraditions
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00:00:00 — Introduction: Should the Catholic Church Ordain Women as Deacons?
00:02:38 — Defining Terms: What Is a Deacon?
00:04:11 — Stakes of the Debate & Personal Journeys
00:06:00 — Opening Statement: Casey Stanton (Arguing "Yes")
00:09:32 — Opening Statement: Pia de Solenni (Arguing "No")
00:13:52 — Moderator Summary
00:16:09 — Is This a Path to Power or To Service?
00:18:23 — Is There a “Glass Ceiling” in the Catholic Church?
00:20:24 — Scripture, Tradition, and Women Deacons
00:22:35 — Do Women Need Ordination to Lead?
00:27:28 — Tradition, Modernity, and the Church’s Relevance
00:31:38 — Is There a Fundamental Difference Between Men and Women?
00:36:48 — Male-Only Clergy and the Abuse Scandal
00:43:54 — What Is the Deacon’s Unique Role?
00:46:18 — What Is the Objection to Ordaining Women As Deacons?
00:53:59 — Does the Case for Women Deacons Also Apply to Women Priests?
00:58:54 — Closing Statement: Casey Stanton
01:01:50 — Closing Statement: Pia de Solenni
01:04:14 — Final Thoughts
The election of Pope Leo XIV as the head of the Catholic Church has reignited a long-simmering question in the Catholic Church: should women be ordained as deacons?
Deacons can preach, baptize, and officiate weddings and funerals, but not consecrate the Eucharist. Under Pope Francis, the Vatican launched commissions to study the issue and elevated women to senior positions — moves seen as laying the groundwork for potential change. Supporters say ordaining women would restore an early Church tradition, not break with it, and make the Church more inclusive and responsive to modern society. Opponents say the records indicate the opposite and that it would violate longstanding doctrine. They warn it could blur theological lines, sow confusion about the priesthood, and open the door to demands for women priests—something the Church has firmly rejected. They also point out that women already hold influential, non-ordained leadership roles.
Now, under new leadership, we ask: Is It Time for the Catholic Church to Ordain Women as Deacons?
Arguing Yes: Casey Stanton, Co-director of Discerning Deacons
Arguing No: Pia de Solenni, Theologian; Former Chancellor of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange in California
Nayeema Raza, Journalist and Host of "Smart Girl Dumb Questions", is the guest moderator
Additional Debates to Watch:
Can Religion Cure the Loneliness Epidemic? youtu.be/0z7OQ6uGzLg
The More We Evolve Less We Need God youtu.be/yUAiY7ZUWhQ
Is Islam a Religion of Peace? youtu.be/rh34Xsq7D_A
#opentodebate #debate #religion #catholicchurch #catholicfaith #deacons #churchtraditions
===================================
Subscribe: youtube.com/@OpentoDebate
Official site: opentodebate.org
Newsletter: opentodebate.org/insight
X: twitter.com/OpentoDebateOrg
Facebook: facebook.com/BeOpentoDebate
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/opentodebate
Instagram: instagram.com/opentodebateorg
TikTok: tiktok.com/@opentodebateorg
Open to Debate Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/bdzmz5xt
Open to Debate Spotify Podcasts: tinyurl.com/22tuxu7h
===================================
00:00:00 — Introduction: Should the Catholic Church Ordain Women as Deacons?
00:02:38 — Defining Terms: What Is a Deacon?
00:04:11 — Stakes of the Debate & Personal Journeys
00:06:00 — Opening Statement: Casey Stanton (Arguing "Yes")
00:09:32 — Opening Statement: Pia de Solenni (Arguing "No")
00:13:52 — Moderator Summary
00:16:09 — Is This a Path to Power or To Service?
00:18:23 — Is There a “Glass Ceiling” in the Catholic Church?
00:20:24 — Scripture, Tradition, and Women Deacons
00:22:35 — Do Women Need Ordination to Lead?
00:27:28 — Tradition, Modernity, and the Church’s Relevance
00:31:38 — Is There a Fundamental Difference Between Men and Women?
00:36:48 — Male-Only Clergy and the Abuse Scandal
00:43:54 — What Is the Deacon’s Unique Role?
00:46:18 — What Is the Objection to Ordaining Women As Deacons?
00:53:59 — Does the Case for Women Deacons Also Apply to Women Priests?
00:58:54 — Closing Statement: Casey Stanton
01:01:50 — Closing Statement: Pia de Solenni
01:04:14 — Final Thoughts
