A bishop must be irreproachable, married only once, temperate, self-controlled … not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, keeping his children under control with perfect dignity. Throughout the ages the question of church leadership has adapted according to the times. In the Roman Catholic tradition there haven’t been married bishops for over a millennia. In addition, St. Paul’s description of the role of a deacon it appears there were women deacons. If there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. Women, similarly, should be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in everything. Deacons may be married only once. in the contemporary church in the United States and throughout the world the issue of Church leadership is again on the table. Necessity has proven that celibate males are not the only ones capable of leading a church. We should not be afraid to have a lively discussion, in a synodal fashion, on the kind of leadership the Church needs today.
