The tremendous growth of the permanent order of deacon in the Catholic Church carries with it lingering and inevitable questions about women deacons. The Church's evident need for more women in ministry demands careful exploration and evaluation of the historical roots, contemporary ecclesial realities, and creative future possibilities for including women in the diaconate. These three original essays evaluate the question of women deacons from historical, contemporary and future perspectives in conversation with one another and with the whole Church. The result id essential reading for all who are interested in ecclesiology an in questions of women in ministry, as well as for deacons and deacon directors.