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Ordination of Deacons in the Churches of the Porvoo Communion

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Ordination of Deacons in the Churches of the Porvoo Communion Ordination of Deacons in the Churches of the Porvoo Communion A Comparative Investigation in Ecclesiology Tiit Pädam Uppsala 2011 Designed by Kadi Pajupuu Kirjastus TP Uppsala/Tallinn 2011 ISBN 978-9949-21-785-4 Abstract The thesis investigates the rites of ordination to the diaconate in the churches of the Porvoo communion. The research includes, in total, four Anglican churches of the British Isles and six Lutheran churches in the Nordic and Baltic countries – all of the churches which signed the Porvoo Declaration in 1996 and thus founded a new communion: Church in Wales, Church of England, Church of Ireland, Scottish Episcopal Church, Church of Norway, Church of Sweden, Estonian Evangelical-Lutheran Church, Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Ice- land and Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Lithuania. The aim of the research is to discover whether the ecclesiologies implicit in those rites are compatible with one another and whether they contribute to a common understanding of the deacon’s ministry in the churches of the Porvoo communion or not. The ordination rites are considered from three perspectives which to- gether comprise the ecclesiology in the rites. The first is the theologi- cal content of the rites. Here the analysis is based on a detailed reading of the liturgical texts of the rites. The second, closely related to the first, is the liturgical performance of the ordination during the Sunday service in the local church. The roles and participation of different actors in the rite is analysed and the meaning of the liturgical acts which make up the rite is interpreted. The third perspective takes into consideration the church’s position in society and the socio-cultural context of the local church where the ordination takes place. Through the combination of these three perspectives the diaconate and its role and meaning in the ten churches studied is explored, analysed and compared. The results of the research are presented within the context of a broad ecumenical perspective. Keywords: ecclesiology, Porvoo communion, Porvoo Common Statement, Porvoo Declaration, Anglican churches, Lutheran church- es, ecumenical agreements, ordination, diaconate, diaconal ministry, deacon’s ministry Dedicated to the men and women who in august 1989 gathered in Sig- tuna (Sweden) with a vision of deeper communion between Anglican and Lutheran churches, to John Arnold Geoffrey Brown George Carey John Halliburton Christopher Hill John Hind Maryon Jägers Martin Reardon Stephen Sykes Mary Tanner David Tustin Henrik Christiansen Gerhard Pedersen Toomas Paul Fredric Cleve Kaj Engström Lorenz Grönvik Erik Vikström Jon Baldvinsson Gunnar Lislerud Ola Tjørhom Tore Furberg Tord Harlin Lennart Sjöström Acknowledgements I am sitting in the train and as the constantly changing landscape of Northern Germany glides past, I also let the whole study-period pass through my mind. Since the beginning of my doctoral studies I have had the privilege to get to know many people – some new acquaint- ances, but even several old friends whom I have come to know in a new way. At the end, as the work is completed, it is interesting to look back on the whole process of the research. Not only because the whole story teaches me something important about myself, but primarily to think about the people who have surrounded me and supported me in various ways. They have been angels beside me, not always aware of it themselves, during this long process which has not only made me mature and wiser but has taught me something essential: that I re- ceived always more than I ever can give back. Many years ago the former archbishop and my friend Jaan Kiivit sug- gested to me that I continue my studies in theology. He also signed the contract between the EELC and the theological faculty in Uppsala which enabled my studies as a doctoral student, while working in Tal- linn. This, along with Ola Tjørhom’s, for many years indefatigable promoter of Porvoo, suggestion engage in theological work in the Porvoo communion and bishop David Tustin’s encouragement that I work with one of the challenging commitments of the Porvoo com- munion − the diaconate, has inspired me to work. Ola Tjørhom helped me at the very beginning to see the whole picture of the question of Church ministry and offered to be my secondary supervisor. While this was not possible his support has nonetheless been important. I still admire with deep gratitude my supervisor Prof. Sven-Erik Brodd who never ceased believing that the research would one day be writ- ten. He continued to inspire and never lost hope, despite my weary process and poor writing skills. One very significant period of my research over the past few years I have spent in the academic fellowship at the Uppsala Religion and Society Research Centre. Prof. Anders Bäckström and director Dr. Ninna Edgardh offered me much more than only a place to work − I also gained the fellowship of committed researchers whose encour- agement, discussions and advice have been a really valuable support in my struggles. Martha, a friend and always cheerful company in the Uppsala “Apotek-group” − who not only shared with me her good mood and linguistic gifts but helped me by providing a lot of material and with her valuable knowledge and Annette with her special energy and good, competent advice, have both made a special contribution to the fact that this research has been completed. I thank sincerely, in addition to those already named above, Per, Anders, Marta, Maria, and particularly Barbro for their shared wisdom and openness during many inspiring discussions in private, or as part of research seminars. My sincere thanks to the doctoral seminar in ecclesiology at the theol- ogy faculty at Uppsala university and my opponents at various stages who critically read different parts of my text and delivered construc- tive criticism: Dr. Thomas Ekstrand and Dr. Jonas Ideström. My spe- cial thanks are due to Revd Dcn Dr. Christine Hall who was the friendly opponent at the final seminar for this text and who gave valu- able comments and suggestions regarding the mysteries of the english language both during the seminar but also afterwards. I presented my research to the Porvoo Network Group at the research conference in Lund, and I think gratefully of the participants, especially to Prof. Jer- emy Morris who gave me kind but critical feedback which was very helpful for my further work. I am greatly indebted to many people who, in addition to those named above, have helped me with access to relevant material and sometimes with translations and comments, especially Roy Long from England, Hannelene Jeske from Germany, Gwynn ap Gwilym from Wales, Kai Vahtola from Finland, Mindaugas Sabutis and Darius Petkunas from Lithuania and Gunnel Borgegård from the Nordic Ecumenical Council in Sweden. And last, but definitely not least, my deepest gratitude and thanks to my dear friend and wife Sirje, who for a period of many years has had to put up with me sitting at the writing desk in the evenings after my daily work, during the weekends and holidays. Her patience and sup- port have followed me all along my weary way in theology. T.P. Contents Abstract ...................................................................................................... v Acknowledgements ................................................................................... ix Introduction ................................................................................................... 5 The beginning of the Porvoo negotiations ............................................. 8 Porvoo and `diaconal ministry` ........................................................... 10 PART I BACKGROUND, AIMS AND RESOURCES ............................. 13 Chapter 1 Research purpose, context and method .................................. 13 Ecclesiology and ecclesiologies .......................................................... 14 Ordination rites as source of ecclesiology ........................................... 16 Ordination rites and the research on the diaconate .............................. 17 Chapter 2 Choice of topic and key intentions ......................................... 18 2.1. The main question ........................................................................ 18 2.2. Methodological considerations and clarifications ........................ 19 2.3. Ecumenical documents as a resource for analysis ........................ 21 2.4. Limitations .................................................................................... 23 2.5. Porvoo Churches and the “common understanding”. ................... 25 2.6. Language, terminological problems and preferences ................... 26 2.7. Previous research .......................................................................... 29 2.8. The method and stages of the research ......................................... 33 Chapter 3. Background of the ordination rites to the diaconate in the churches studied ....................................................................................... 38 Anglican churches ............................................................................... 38 3.1. The Church in Wales .................................................................... 38 3.2. The Church of England ................................................................. 41 3.3. The Church of Ireland ................................................................... 45 3.4. The Scottish Episcopal Church ....................................................
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