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The Deacon’s Ordination: Herbert Vorgrimler, Reflection on the Ministry Sacramental Theology “In his person, the deacon makes it clear that the liturgy must have concrete consequences in the world with all its needs, and that work in the world that is done in the spirit of charity has a spiritual dimension” (p. 270)
Deacon William T. Ditewig, Ph.D.
Former Executive Director, Secretariat for the Diaconate United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Professor of Theology Santa Clara University
Introduction: Effects of Ordination Points from Ordination Ordination is an act of the WHOLE Church 1. Entrance into the clerical state Unique Relationship of Bishop with his deacons 2. Incorporation into the ordo of deacons “Worthiness” 3. Incardination into Epiclesis: Spirit in Action and sacramental local (diocesan) grace church Obedience Focus on Gospel Eucharist: The Church Created Anew
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To understand the diaconate today, where it Why is this important? might be headed, must first understand the
vision behind the renewal Growing need for deacons and others to understand their roots – Needs of contemporary Church – Complex matrix of ministries Living out the potential of the vision
Here are some things to ponder: Plotting the Course Points Diaconate has developed differently Theology and the Diaconate – Why “ordained” ministers at all? around the world – What does “ordination” mean? –LG 18 Europe (Western and Eastern) were working The Foundations of the Diaconate on renewed diaconate – History: Who were deacons and what did they do? for more than a century – Essence vs. Function OR Essence AND BEFORE Vatican II Function? – Insights from history for the contemporary Only a handful of US diaconate bishops at the Council Current and Future Diaconate supported the notion – Continuity, Imagination, Creativity
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Theology and the Diaconate Three Points
Review of “Theology” and “Faith” The Role of Church and Ministry A Quick Review of the Meaning of Ordination
Roots of Theology: What is faith? Faith Seeking. . . . What Is Theology? “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews St. Anselm: “Faith 11:1) Seeking Religious faith (unlike purely human faith Understanding” in doctors, etc.) is concerned with ultimate reality, ultimate questions. (Orobator, SJ) But it’s also: “Faith seeking Catholic tradition distinguished: the act of hope, seeking faith (“fides qua”), and the content of community, seeking faith (“fides quae”). love”
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The Act of Faith The Content of Faith “Fides Qua” “Fides Quae” “Credo” = “I believe” God and God’s People “cor” + “do” = “I (Hebrew scripture) give my heart. – The Nature of God: mysterium “Metanoia” = a tremendens et complete change of fascinans heart – God is “other”, Personal, yet unknowable communal – Transcendent, yet dimensions immanent
Some other attributes Catholic tradition: Mediation
More than mere Knowledge of God is acceptance and trust: more than simply must lead to action personal revelation More than “personal”; What is “mediation” vs more than “teachings” “immediate”? must avoid both People, events, nature: extremes (“faith without the “sacramental works is dead” (James principle” 2:17)
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Put yourself at the beginning… Put yourself at the beginning…
Followers of Christ had And Jesus came and said to ONE great mission: them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make What was it? disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy (hint: Matthew 28:16-20) Spirit, and teaching them to 1. DIVINE AUTHORITY/POWER 2. MAKE DISCIPLES (COMMUNITY) obey everything that I have 3. BAPTIZE THOSE DISCIPLES commanded you. And 4. TEACH THOSE DISCIPLES 5. CHRIST’S CONSTANT PRESENCE remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
How to live the Mission: Living the Mission. . . St. Paul I therefore, a prisoner Ephesians 4: 1-13 There is one body in the Lord, beg you and one Spirit, just as to lead a life worthy you were called to the of the calling to which one hope of your you have been called. calling, one Lord, one . . making every faith, one baptism, effort to maintain the one God and Father unity of the Spirit in of all, who is above all the bond of peace. and through all and in all.
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Each in his or her own way… For what purpose?
But each of us was To equip the saints for given grace according the work of ministry, to the measure of for building up the Christ’s gift. . . . The body of Christ, until all gifts he gave were of us come to the unity that some would be of the faith and of the apostles, some knowledge of the Son prophets, some of God, to maturity, to evangelists, some the measure of the full pastors and teachers: stature of Christ.
Vatican II and the Nature of the Lumen gentium Church and Ministry After 2000 years, nothing has changed with our 1. Christ is the Light of nations. Because mission this is so, this Sacred Synod gathered As CHURCH together in the Holy Spirit eagerly desires, As MINISTERS of that Church by proclaiming the Gospel to every creature to bring the light of Christ to all, a light brightly visible on the countenance of the Church.
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Lumen Gentium and And the Church’s ministers: The Great Commission Since the Church is in Christ like a 18. For the nurturing and constant growth of sacrament or as a sign and instrument the People of God, Christ the Lord instituted both of a very closely knit union with God in His Church a variety of ministries, which and of the unity of the whole human race, work for the good of the whole body. For it desires now to unfold more fully to the those ministers, who are endowed with faithful of the Church and to the whole sacred power, serve their brethren, so that world its own inner nature and universal all who are of the People of God, and mission. therefore enjoy a true Christian dignity, working toward a common goal freely and in an orderly way, may arrive at salvation.
So, a theology of the diaconate Meaning of Ordination? begins: With a God who is Love Shifted over the centuries Our own discipleship: Particularly dramatic shift in someone made us 12th Century disciples, baptized us, “From the functional to the taught us, and helped us ontological” realize that God is ever Important for us deacons to with us (EMMANUEL) know about this shift. WHY? Consider your ordination: ((Hint: we weren’t around how did you/will you be much in the 12th Century!)) vested at the beginning of Mass?
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US Bishops From the Vatican’s Directory: National Directory, #39 “By ordination, the deacon, who “In every case it is important sacramentalizes the Church’s service, is to that deacons fully exercise their ministry: in preaching, in liturgy exercise the Church’s diakonia. Therefore, and in charity to the extent that ‘the diaconal ministries, distinguished circumstances permit. They above, are not to be separated; the should not be relegated to marginal duties, be made deacon is ordained for them all, and no merely to act as substitutes, one should be ordained who is not nor discharge duties normally prepared to undertake each in some way.” entrusted to non-ordained members of the faithful” (Directory), 40.
Foundations of the Diaconate Scriptural Themes: The Radical Meaning of Diakonia
At least 47 scriptural instances tying care of those most in need to the covenant “Suffering Servant”
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Scriptural Themes: The Radical Scriptural Themes: The Radical Meaning of Diakonia Meaning of Diakonia
Religion that is pure and Acts 6? undefiled before God and Paul and “deacons” the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (James 1:27) Kenosis and Theosis Matthew 25
Closer Look: Kenosis andTheosis “Faith and Reason” (1998)
The prime commitment of theology is seen to be the understanding of God’s kenosis, a grand and mysterious truth for the human mind, which finds it inconceivable that suffering and death can express a love which gives itself and seeks nothing in return.
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“Deus Caritas Est” (2006) Philippians 2:5-8 (Kenosis)
Being Christian is not the Who, being in the form of God, result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the Did not count equality with God encounter with an event, Something to be grasped. a person, which gives life But he emptied himself, a new horizon and a Taking the form of a slave, decisive direction. Becoming as human beings are; I wish to speak of the And being in every way like a human being, love that God lavishes He was humbler yet, upon us and which we in turn must share with Even to accepting death, death on a cross. others
Philippians 2:9-11 Kenosis: Essence of Divinity (Theosis)
Who is God in light of the Lucien Richard, OMI Therefore God also highly exalted him kenosis? Kenosis is not a process of de-divination Christ: The Self- And gave him the name but rather as an attribute That is above every name, of God’s love disclosed in Emptying of God the compassionate (Mahwah: Paulist So that at the name of Jesus existence of Jesus. . . . Every knee should bend, God is absolute letting- Press, 1997) In heaven and on earth and under the earth be, self giving, self- spending. Kenosis is And every tongue should confess understood as the way That Jesus Christ is Lord, God relates to the world; creation is a work of love, To the glory of God the Father. of self-giving.
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Kenosis: Essence of Divinity Kenosis: Essence of Divinity God ‘became human’ and Hans Urs von It is precisely in the J. B. Metz took on our flesh. We Balthasar kenosis of Christ (and Poverty of Spirit (New say this all too casually. . Love Alone (New nowhere else) that York: Paulist Press, . . York: Herder & the inner majesty of 1968, 1998) Satan wants to make Herder, 1969) God’s love appears, of Jesus strong, for what the God who ‘is love’ (1 devil really fears is the John 4:8) and a powerlessness of God in ‘trinity.’ the humanity that Jesus has assumed. Satan fears the Trojan horse of an open human heart. . . .
But. . . WHY? Theosis “Divinization”? Sounds Dangerous!
Out of divine Love, God wants us to be St. Ephrem, deacon and one with God doctor of the Church: “The Deity imprinted itself on Theosis – movement toward communion humanity, so that humanity with the divine – is the reason for kenosis might also be cut into the seal of the Deity” 2 Peter 1:4: Through Christ, we “become St. Athanasius of partakers of the divine nature.” Alexandria, deacon and “Divinization” bishop: “God became human so we might become God.”
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More recently. . . . Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi, Lex Vivendi
JPII: “The Spirit enables West: “By the mystery of this water and wine, us to share in the Divine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ nature. . .” (1998 who humbled himself to share in our humanity.” General Audience), citing Thomas Aquinas: East: “You have united, O Lord, your divinity with our humanity and our humanity with your “The Only-begotten Son of God, wanting us to be divinity; Your life with our mortality and our partakers of his divinity, mortality with Your life. You have assumed assumed our human what is ours and you have given us what is nature so that, having yours for the life and salvation of our souls. To become man, he might you be glory forever.” make men gods.”
John 13: Hypodeigma Impact on All Disciples
Through Baptism: “By A reading of John 13 sharing our human Washing of feet is nature, weakened more than simple or through Adam’s sin, menial service you enabled us to It is a sign, a share in your divinity, foretaste of Christ’s and to receive the gift passion and death of life.” (Maronite)
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Understanding kenosis The Patristics. . . .
Deacon as “icon of Jesus uses this sign to Christ” illustrate the type of Association with Bishop leadership to be exercised by the Diversity of function Apostles: a similar Administration, judicial, kenotic diakonia liturgical A willingness to surrender everything All of these are part of to care for another the Rite of Ordination!
Polycarp of Smyrna Ignatius of Antioch
“Correspondingly, everyone must Likewise the deacons should show the deacons respect. They be blameless; not slanderers, represent Jesus Christ, just as the not double-tongued, not bishop has the role of the Father, and lovers of money, temperate in the presbyters are like God’s council all matters, compassionate, and an apostolic band. You cannot careful, living according to have a Church (ecclesia) without the truth of the Lord, who these.” became a ‘servant of all’. . . . “Let the deacons (my special It is necessary. . . to be favorites) be entrusted with the subject to the presbyters and ministry of Jesus Christ who was deacons as to God and Christ. with the Father from eternity and appeared at the end of the world.”
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Hippolytus of Rome Hippolytus of Rome
When the deacon is ordained, this is the “Apostolic Tradition” reason why the bishop alone shall lay his hands upon him: he is not ordained Only surviving to the priesthood but to serve the bishop “Order” of the and to carry out the bishop’s commands. Western Church He does not take part in the council of C. 215, attributed to the clergy; he is to attend to his own Hippolytus duties and to make known to the bishop such things as are needful. He does not receive that Spirit that is possessed by the presbytery, in which the presbyters share; he receives only what is confided in him under the bishop’s authority.
Cyprian Cyprian If they should be seized with any Bishop misfortune and peril of sickness, [they] Writing from exile should, without waiting for my presence, around 250 AD before any presbyter who might be present, or if a presbyter should not be found and death begins to be imminent, before even a deacon, be able to make confession of their sin, that, with the imposition of hands upon them for repentance, they should come to the Lord with the peace which the martyrs have desired, by their letters to us, to be granted to them.
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Fabian of Rome Bishop and Deacon: Didascalia Apostolorum Divided Rome into seven “deaconries” around 250 Syria; early to mid 3rd Century AD No source more descriptive of bishop-
Deacons, subdeacons deacon relationship
Legend of St. Lawrence (d. 258) comes from this period
Bishop and Deacon: Bishop and Deacon: Didascalia Apostolorum Didascalia Apostolorum
Let the bishops and the deacons, then, be of one mind; Let the deacon be ready to obey and to submit and do you shepherd the people diligently with one accord. For you ought both to be one body, father and himself to the command of the bishop. And let son; for you are in the likeness of the Lordship. And let him labor and toil in every place whither he is the deacon make known all things to the bishop, even as Christ to His Father. But let him order such things as he sent to minister or to speak of some matter to is able by himself, receiving power from the bishop, as anyone. For it behooves each one to know his the Lord did from His Father. . . . But the weighty matters let the bishop judge. Yet let the deacon be the office and to be diligent in executing it. And be hearing of the bishop, and his mouth and his heart and you [bishop and deacon] of one counsel and of his soul; for when you are both of one mind, through one purpose, and one soul dwelling in two bodies. your agreement there will be peace in the Church.
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Bishop and Deacon: Bishop and Deacon: Didascalia Apostolorum Didascalia Apostolorum
Let your judgments be held on the second day of If anyone come in from another place, bringing the week. . . . Let also the deacons and presbyters recommendatory letters, let the deacon be the be ever present in all your judgments, to judge judge of the affair, inquiring whether they be of without acceptance of persons, as men of God, the faithful, and of the Church, whether they be with righteousness. not defiled by heresy, and besides, whether the party be a married woman or a widow. And when he is satisfied in the things of the Lord, let him conduct everyone to the place proper to him.
Bishop and Deacon: Augustine of Hippo Didascalia Apostolorum Role of Deacon in Catechesis Echoes Ignatius: “The bishop sits for you in the (Deogratias and Quodvultdeus) place of God Almighty. But the deacon stands in Wrote one of the earliest place of Christ; and do you love him. . . .” known treatises on catechesis (de catechizandis rudibus) And, to the deacons: “If then our Lord did thus, when he responded to a request will you, O deacons, hesitate to do the like for from the Carthaginian deacon them that are sick and infirm, you who are Deogratias for advice and workmen of the truth, and bear the likeness of guidelines on the catechesis of Christ.” new Christians
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But things are changing. . . : By 8th Century. . . .
In 215, the deacon “is not ordained to the priesthood but in service to the bishop” (non ad sacerdotium sed in Roles of bishop and presbyter ministerio episcopi) clearly distinguished. From By 475, the Statuta Ecclesiae Antiquae changed this to Constantine, bishops as “non ad sacerdotium sed ad ministerium” residential, civil judges Roles of bishop-presbyter are evolving, with presbyter Cursus honorum now well- subordinate to bishop, and deacon subordinate to both. The beginnings of the cursus honorum. established; paralleled Roman civil service Diaconate now subordinate to presbyter, and order is almost always transitional.
Council of Trent (1545-1563) The Council of Trent
All orders point to Eucharist Desire to “restore the diaconate in its ancient functions” Not sure if this was call for permanent diaconate or longer transitional diaconate No implementation
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Last “permanent deacons” before 1917 Code of Canon Law Vatican II:
Giacomo Antonelli Teodolfo Mertel No ordination to minor or major orders 1806-1876 1806-1899 without intention to proceed to priesthood Statesman and Canon Lawyer What specific functions are assigned to Diplomat Named Cardinal in 1858 deacons are all extraordinary Named Cardinal in In charge of Roman 1847 Rota Secretary of State for His Secretary: Pietro Pius IX; opposed Gasparri, who was Italian unification principal author of 1917 Code of Canon Law
Summary The Second Vatican Council
“Golden Age” of diaconate (till 325 AD: diversity of function, association with bishop Post-Constantinian world: Structures of church evolve and standardize in relationship to Empire Diaconate becomes transitional to a highly developed priesthood. Identity Shift: From deacon-as-deacon to deacon- as-future-priest. Ordination links one more closely to the altar
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Most Basic Question: WHY? "Vatican II: That’s when the Catholic Church. . . ." Executive Officer, USS Why was the Billfish (SSN 676): "I diaconate renewed remember Vatican II: that’s when the Catholic Church by Vatican II and sold out to. . . . Paul VI? Why was there a Vatican II in the first place?
A Little History: 1776 - 1899 A Little History: 1776 – 1899
Revolutions: individualism Emigration/Immigration & separation of church/state Loss of Papal States – Political (American and French) Rise of Nationalism – Economic (Industrial) Vatican I: First attempt to relate Church to Modern World
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A Little History: From 1900 - 1959 JPII on WWII
“World War II: An abyss of violence, destruction and death unlike anything previously known.” (2004 World Day of Peace)
Vatican II: Response to WWII “The First 100 Days”
John XXIII: elected October 1958 Turned 77 in November Announced agenda for his papacy on January 25, 1959 Purpose of the Council: aggiornamento Purpose of Religion: “To make the human sojourn on earth less sad.”
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Vatican II: The Council of the Vatican II: The Council of the Church Church
First, had to deal with the worldwide “AD INTRA” “AD EXTRA” pastoral challenges facing the church – Looked into the – Looked outward at Second, the first truly worldwide Council of a Church fully aware of itself as a inner nature and the way in which life of the Church the Church relates “world church” to the Modern World
The Deacon and the Council Reform & Renewal
Five critical areas: – Role of Bishops & their Relationship to the Pope (complements Vatican I) – Role of the Laity – Definition of Church Membership – Relationship of Catholic church to other Christian churches – Relationship of Church’s mission to the life of the world
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Prior to Vatican II: Role of Bishops “Find the Bishop!”
– Complemented & completed work of Vatican I – Three basic questions: What is a Bishop? What is the unique role of the Bishop of Rome? How do they relate? – Bishop is called by God. The sacramental identity of the bishop! – Bishop is head of the local church, in communion with the Pope. [LG 26] – Bishop is a vicar of Christ [LG 27]
Role of Bishops But who suggested diaconate? Renewal of the Diaconate is tied directly to this renewal of Myth: “From the Third World” the Episcopate Myth: Top-down “bishops re-imposed an additional hierarchical structure on the people”; anachronism Bishop’s Role of Teaching How did the bishops even know about the (Word), Sanctifying diaconate, other than as “transitional”? (Sacrament) and Ruling (Servant-Leadership) described as diakonia
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Diaconate: Link between worship How did the question emerge? and social action
Germany, 1840: diaconate as part of overall ecclesial G. von Mann (1934): Charity is essential reform: link to bishop & element of church; need for some official worship recognition of those who act in Church’s Caritas in Germany, 1897: name. required in every German diocese H. Shütz (1936): advantage of deacons is Caritas journal began to official mission: the bishop sends. Also, explore the possibility of an with rise of Nazism, only an official presence ordained diaconate will survive; deacons are to link leiturgia, martyria, and diakonia.
1933 – 1945: Dachau becomes Adolf Hitler: 1933-1945 incubator of ecclesial renewal
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Only the beginning. . . . Only the beginning. . . .
Dachau Concentration Camp Priests at Dachau
Clergy & Religious of Total Priests Incarcerated at Dachau: 2720 all faiths: “no special Priests released: 314 treatment” Priests who died in camp: 1034 Der Priesterblock Priests transferred to other camps: 132 Incubator for Priests who survived the war: 1240 (less than half) renewal: “How must the Church change so that this does not happen again?”
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Following the War. . . . So, as Council began. . .
Survivors begin to write and plan Charitable service, sacramentally linked to Otto Pies, Wilhelm Schamoni word and worship, is essential element in Hannes Kramer and the life of the church. “Diaconate Circles” Karl Rahner This dimension, while it must be exercised International Catechetical by all, should be part of the permanent Week, Assisi, 1956 sacramental life of the church. Pius XII (1947, 1957) This development urgently needed as part of overall renewal of the church.
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The Deacon at the Council Two German Periti
Rahner/Vorgrimler: Diakonia in Christo 8972 proposals received during antepraeparatoria; 101 concerned the diaconate Of the 101, 90 proposals pro (representing 186 bishops), 11 contra (representing 21 bishops)
Who Had the Vision? The Deacon at the Council
16 proposals (71 bishops) on functions of deacons. Many supporters were from Speak of deacons of “mature age” (40); age of Europe (especially Spain, deacons will be a topic of discussion during the later debate. Germany, France, the Specific functions: Netherlands and countries – “experienced catechist” of Eastern Europe) – parish administration Others were bishops from – administration of church goods and property Latin America, Africa, and – official preaching and teaching – presiding at Extreme Unction and other sacramental Asia (especially Micronesia, ministries Indonesia, India and Deacon is a recognized leader in the community, not Pakistan). a person new or inexperienced in ministry.
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Deacons and the Documents The Deacon at the Council
Dogmatic Constitution on the Church #29 Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy #35 (Lumen Gentium), #29 Dogmatic Constitution on First Draft: no mention of deacons at all! Divine Revelation #25 The key to understanding the diaconate Decree on Missionary Activity #16 is to understand the key role of Chapter Decree on Eastern III and the nature & role of bishops: Catholic Churches #17 deacons & priests are assistants to the bishops. [Paragraphs 18-27: bishops; 28: presbyters; 29: deacons]
The Deacon at the Council The Deacon at the Council
Three developments Final Votes (#29 had 5 votes) – the “Suenens Compromise”: not an absolute universal – office of deacon: 2055 to 94 – only “mature” married men could be – Restoration as permanent order: 1903 to ordained; but 40 was considered too 242 old, and lowered to 35 – growing appreciation of the – Pope to approve: 1523 to 702 theological nature of the diaconate as – “mature married men”: 1598 to 629 opposed to a purely functional approach (again, due largely to – “younger non-celibate men”: 1364 NO to Suenens) 839 YES
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The Deacon at the Council Deacons in a Diaconal Church
We stress that the teaching of Very little consensus of what they were the Council is channeled in one restoring: no one knew what a deacon was or direction: the SERVICE of human kind, of every condition, in every what he was supposed to do! weakness and need. The Church Ancient order, but transformed for renewed has declared herself a servant of Church humanity at the very time when her teaching role and her Relationship to celibacy; BUT, what about the pastoral government have, by relationship of Matrimony to Holy Orders? reason of this Council, assumed Not restored because of a shortage of priests, greater splendor and vigor. but a shortage of deacons (a new way of However, the idea of SERVICE ordained ministry) has been central.
Paul VI/John Paul II Benedict XVI
“The permanent diaconate. . . A driving force for the Church’s service. . . .” (Paul VI, Ad pascendum)
“Love needs to be organized if it is to be an ordered “The service of the deacon is service to the community.” the Church’s service sacramentalized.” (John Paul The Seven: “decisive step. . .for putting this fundamental II, Address to US Deacons) ecclesial principle into practice.” With the Seven, diakonia became part of fundamental structure of the Church.”
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Points from the Council Benedict XVI Themes of the National Directory
Deacons needed as part of renewed identification of church-as-deacon Radical Sacramentality of the Deacon Relationship to the The Church’s deepest nature expressed in three-fold responsibility [word, sacrament, charity]. “These duties Bishop presuppose each other and are inseparable.” Charity is Restored the not “a kind of welfare activity which could equally well permanency of diaconate be left to others, but is. . . an indispensable expression of her very being.”
From Vatican II to Present Getting Started After the Council. . . First bishops’ conferences to request permission (1967): –Germany –France –Italy –Brazil 1964 – Lumen gentium – Cameroon 1965 – Second Vatican Council closes 18 June 1967 – Sacrum Diaconatus Ordinem: Pope Paul VI implements Vatican II decision on the diaconate
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The first ordinations. . . . The first ordinations. . . .
3 November 1968 – Rottenburg, Germany (9 ordinands) 28 April 1968 – Cologne, Germany (5 ordinands) 8 December 1968 – Bamburg, Germany. 3 Franciscan brothers; after ordination sent to Paraguay and India 8 years of preparation/service 8 December 1968 – Douala, Cameroon. 7 African Ages: 35 – 47 deacons for diocese of Douala.
1970 International Statistics: 1968: US Bishops 100 Deacons
1. To complete the hierarchy of 4. To provide an official and sacred orders and to enrich and sacramental presence of the France – 5 Algeria – 2 strengthen the many and Church in areas of secular life, Belgium – 9 India – 2 various diaconal ministries at as well as in communities work in the United States with within large cities and sparsely Brazil – 13 Indonesia – 1 the sacramental grace of the settled regions where few or diaconate; no priests are available; Cameroon – 8 Paraguay – 1 2. To enlist a new group of devout 5. To provide an impetus and Chile – 9 South Africa – 2 and competent men in the source for creative adaptations active ministry of the Church; of diaconal ministries to the Germany – 45 United States – 3 3. To aid in extending needed rapidly changing needs of our liturgical and charitable services society. to the faithful in both large urban and small rural communities;
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The Diaconate in the US. . . . The Diaconate in the US. . . .
1968: Letter to Holy See is June 1, 1969: Archbishop Sheen drafted (based on previously- ordains Michael Cole first approved French letter); permanent deacon in US letter sent in May (Rochester) Request approved in August May 24, 1970: Bishop Charles H. Helmsing (KC-St. Joseph) ordains At November meeting: Paul McArdle – standing Committee June, 1970: Monterey, CA – Secretariat established 1971: first large classes; first – 4 Training Centers (2 national/2 diocesan) “Guidelines” established and approved by 1984: new Code of Canon Law; USCCB revised “Guidelines” 2005: National Directory
Challenges and Tensions Current and Future Diaconate from the Data
Aging of US Diaconate Increasing “full time” deacons – Employment vs. Assignment –Deacons as “compensating” for shortage of priests? More than 1/3 serve only in a parish
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Task 1: Expanding our Sense of Deacon Overseas: One Example Servanthood Church teaching: Diaconate in WORD, WORSHIP, Hungary CHARITY are all – 9 deacons in 1990 “diakonia” – 46 by 1999 (54 in We don’t just get 1/3 2004) of the pie, but a –RISK portion of all of it We are signs of Christ-the-Suffering Servant (cf. Isaiah)
Deacon as Sign of Christ, Deacon as Sign of Christ, the Suffering Servant the Suffering Servant 1. Song #1: the Servant is 3. Song #3: The servant is described as God’s agent to beaten and abused, but bring justice, but not by force. perseveres; described as both Quiet and confident leadership. teacher and learner. 2. Song #2: the Servant as 4. Song #4: The servant bears prophet, called before birth to the pain and suffering of lead the people. Again, not by others, and is described as force; leadership by example; one who intercedes with God. unsuccessful in human terms Servant fails in his own lifetime, but is vindicated by God after his death.
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Deacon as Sign of Christ, Task 2: Facing the Challenges the Suffering Servant For 1200 years, diaconate was experienced as transitory Remember John 13 and the Renewed diaconate concurrent with renewed episcopate footwashing at the last supper: and laity, along with shortage of priests – More than simple menial service The very meaning of ordination itself (to ANY order!) – John substitutes this account at the same point the synoptics Functionalism describe the institution of the Eucharist! –Christ and kenosis: pours himself out completely for others – Tells the LEADERS that they must do the same, or that they cannot have fellowship with him.
Some Issues with a Theology of Task 3: It’s all about Diaconate relationships Little to no current “In persona Christi” theological vocabulary “In persona Christi unique to diaconate Capitis” – Current language “sacra potestas ” developed for presbyters Common – Limited experience of misperception: “deacon” in the “Ordained = Priest” contemporary church Incardination Participation in episkopē
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Ecclesial Relationships in With Presbyters. . . . National Directory: Chapter Two With Bishop “Deacons in With Diocese communion with priests. . .” With Presbyterate “Diaconate not With Deacons & Candidates abridged or substitute form of priesthood, With Religious but full order in its With Laity own right.” (#50) With Society
With Presbyters. . . . States of Life
“Deacons and priests Married should develop Celibate (and genuine respect for celibacy’s impact on each other, all deacons) witnessing the Widowed, both communion and deacons and wives; mission they share dispensation from with one another and impedimentum ordinis the bishop” (#52) Facing divorce
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Permanency Cardinal Walter Kasper
Theologian Former Bishop of Rottenburg-Stuttgart Prefect, Council for Christian Unity
Concrete Observations on Cardinal Walter Kasper Diaconate Today: The Basics “The Diaconate” in Leadership in the Church: How Traditional Roles “Renewal of diaconate is Can Serve the Christian first of all a spiritual task. Community Today (NY: The basic spiritual attitude Crossroad, 2003) of the deacon must make it clear that the Christian path is not an ascent or a triumphal march in glory, but a path that looks downward, following Jesus Christ, who descended from heaven.” (p. 39)
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LG29: “…supremely necessary for A “perceptive eye” life of the Church.”
“The goal of diaconal This basic attitude of the activity is not simply help, deacon must “include a but the empowering of life, perceptive eye for those so that those who lie suffering distress, illness, prostrate may get to their or fear. The task is to feet. . . . In some bring a healing that sets situations, the deacon can and must become the free and empowers them public advocate of the to trust and so to serve weak and powerless and and love others in their of all those who have no turn.” (p.40) other voice or lobby.” (p. 40)
Concrete tasks…. More concrete tasks
The deacon = “contact partner” for all those in need & they must be able to look confidently to One essential task consists him for help. in finding, training, and guiding volunteers, Since his ministry includes word-worship- concentrating more on charity, deacon can make others aware of accompanying them connection between faith and life. professionally, personally, “In his ministry of the altar, he lays the needs and spiritually…. of human beings on the eucharistic table, and Ideally, the deacon should naturally he also speaks of these needs when initiate and support self-help he preaches. He must make the parish aware groups, e.g., for single of urgent situations of need, motivating them parents or drug addicts. to share with one another and to give practical Note that this cuts across help.” church boundaries!
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Still more…. Finally….
More than the parish. Assigned to a parish, but with “Deacons of a diocese a broader scope as well: city, also form an advisory deanery, region body that can be the LEADERSHIP: “as the official bishop’s eyes and ears representative of the with respect to human community” he is the obvious contact person for regional needs, and they can help Catholic charity organizations him to be the “father of and health centers. He should the poor” be represented in ecumenical diaconal associations.
10 Points to Ponder: #1 10 Points to Ponder: #2
Ordained diaconate is a Ordination is also a share of the bishop’s RADICAL commitment to apostolic ministry: “eyes, ears, heart, soul” of share in Christ’s kenotic the bishop mission Relationship with the bishop is critical Reflection: How “kenotic” is “Let loose the Deacons!”: Are they ready? my own approach to ministry?
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10 Points to Ponder: #3 10 Points to Ponder: #4
Ordination means Points #1 & #2 LEADERSHIP Get out of our Vision, hope, comfort zones; inspiration, challenge, diaconate is RISK pouring out oneself Will what I’m doing for others now help prevent Willing/capable of another Dachau? leadership?
10 Points to Ponder: #5 10 Points to Ponder: #6
Don’t get stuck in old Don’t get co-opted patterns of ministry; into another’s share be creative; risk of ministry (priests or creating new forms of laity) ministry DMLPD 40 E.g., Preaching: but with a difference! Truck stop ministry, Apostleship of the Sea….
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DLMPD 40: 10 Points to Ponder: #7
In every case it is important that Be Mobile: Stir the deacons fully exercise their pot, enable, ministry: in preaching, in liturgy empower, let go, and in charity to the extent that move on. circumstances permit. They Example of St. Paul should not be relegated to marginal duties, be made merely to act as substitutes, nor discharge duties normally entrusted to non-ordained members of the faithful.
10 Points to Ponder: #8 10 Points to Ponder: #9
Always think and act WITH the Church; Minister everywhere develop a mens (not just “in the ecclesiae Church” but in whole community) Know how to use our Deacon’s ministry in sources, especially the sanctuary is Scripture, Vatican II, critically important etc. BECAUSE of what he’s doing outside the sanctuary, and vice versa
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10 Points to Ponder: #10
Balance, balance, balance! Final Observation: The Triple munus Priorities: avoid the Diaconate is NOT a heresy! Program!
Deacon Thomas Merton Bishop Augustine
“The first thing about the diaconate is that it is big. The more I think about it the more I realize that it is a Major Order. You are supposed to be the strength of the “For you I am Bishop, with you I am Church. You receive the Holy Spirit ad robur, not only for Christian. The first is the title of the office yourself, but to support the whole Church.” (March I received, the second is by grace; the 1949) first implies danger, the second salvation”
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