In Defense of the Diaconate

One cannot be ordained priest without being ordained deacon.  The key is ordination.  If there are three levels to the priesthood, then it necessarily follows that if one level is closed, then all levels are closed.  If a woman lacks the character to be ordained a priest and consecrated/ordained a bishop, then she lacks the character to be ordained a deacon.

Why?

Because for the Sacrament to be valid, there needs to be three criteria filled:

a) Form --  The proper words of ordination must be uttered.
b) Matter --  The proper matter must exist.  For ordination the only matter which exists is that of the male person (vir).  At no place does the ordination speak of woman (mulier).
c) Intent --  The intent of the ordaining bishop must be in line with that of Holy Mother Church, not his own authority.  Since the Church has no power to ordain women, the bishop's authority doesn't extend to the woman.

Also, it is out of sync with the mind of the Church because if a woman cannot be advanced to lector or acolyte, then she necessarily cannot be ordained to the diaconate.  Also, at no point does Holy Mother Church speak of the ability to install a woman to the order of lector or acolyte.  If that is not the case, and if ordination to the priesthood is not possible, then it necessarily follows (again) that ordination to the diaconate is impossible.

It is impossible, because the Church has no authority to do so.  This does not fall on one person, it does not fall on one group of people.  This authority rests with the institution which Christ founded and based upon His ministry and life.  Christ did not call women to be apostles.  In turn the apostles did not call women to be ordained clergy.  There is no substantial evidence which can support this, except to note that those women who were "ordained" into a heretical sect were not allowed to continue in Orders once they were reconciled with Holy Mother Church.  That is clearly defined in the Council of Nicaea. 

Finally, I offer the following for your consideration....A) The Apostles restricted the diaconate to men only:  The office of deacon is created in Acts 6:1-6.  And the Apostles give clear instructions in Acts 6:3 — “brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.”  The seven chosen are all men: Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas (Acts 6:5).  That’s not a coincidence.B) Scripture is clear that the diaconate is male-only: In addition to the above, St. Paul lays out the requirements for deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8-13, and says things like “Deacons likewise must be men of dignity…” ... (This is something I posted earlier in response to Ms. Zagano, it is a direct quote of myself).