Diaconus Intellectus

Diaconus Intellectus 
κατανόηση διάκονος

Monday, June 6, 2016

This past weekend my wife and I attended a gathering of deacons in the Atlanta, Georgia area. The assembly was at Holy Cross Cathedral where, in the morning, one woman and four men were ordained to the diaconate. In the afternoon the deacons present – the newly ordained, the previously ordained, and their spouses – convened for an afternoon discussion about the Sacred Order of Deacons.

What is it about deacons that necessitates discussion? Plenty! 

Few church people misunderstand the definitions and roles of bishops and presbyters (priests). But when asked about deacons most parishioners either do not know or make a calculated guess based solely on what is observed during the liturgy.

VATICAN II and Deacons

Prior to the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) deacons were mostly transitional – meaning that the newly ordained was in a “holding pattern” waiting six to twelve months before landing into the priesthood . Vatican II changed all of that for the Western or Latin churches – even if some of those churches were not Roman Catholic (the Anglican Communion being one). In the Eastern Orthodox Churches the role of the (permanent) deacon never drifted into a transitional mode only. The Eastern Church has no medieval history like that of the West and continued with the Order unchanged.

The third session of Vatican II in October, 1964, ratified the renewal or restoration of the permanent diaconate and in the following November it promulgated Lumen Gentium. This document described the duties of a permanent diaconate: “These duties, so very necessary to the life of the Church, can in many areas be fulfilled only with difficulty according to the prevailing discipline of the Latin Church. For this reason, the diaconate can in the future be restored as a proper and permanent rank of the hierarchy.” (Vatican Collection, Volume 1, Vatican Council II: The Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1975.)

The Vatican II document went on to state that the examination of the Order of Deacons, in light of Vatican Council’s action, is necessary to express and to unfold the duties and functions of the deacon. In other words, standards and expectations of the Order are to be made known to the faithful.

Anglican Deacons

The gathering of deacons this weekend, not Roman Catholic but Anglican, met to discuss the role of the deacon in the Anglican Diocese of the South and then to begin "the examination."

The gathering was well-planned by the Canon to the Ordinary, a priest. I say “well-planned” because it was. The developer of the agenda (the plan) was informed and understood the diaconate and its functional conundrum. He also knew how to begin a new and productive dialogue not only for that moment but for the future.

The agenda was written in top-down fashion. I understand how that had to be that way. The meeting flowed with active participation. I began to discern a measure of openness and a sense of ecclesiastical blossoming – an understanding. As the afternoon hours passed my hope was building on nothing less that God’s holy movement within our midst.

Expertise

The Canon invited a deacon scholar from another diocese to talk with us about how her diocese was moving along in bringing clarity to the Order of Deacons. She provided historical information about deacons – saints of the church who were deacons. Hers was not a lecture but a presentation interrupted occasionally by questions. Her presentation place the Order of Deacon in historical and traditional context. We are grateful for her contribution to the gathering.

Deacon Ministries

Some deacons were asked to talk about their specific ministries. No two ministries were identical except for the basic fact that Jesus Christ is preached and that the Holy Spirit is present always. One deacon ministers in a food pantry; another serves as a prison chaplain; and one was a church administrator. Diaconal ministry is limitless as witnessed by the stories of the deacons present. 

Those kinds of ministries are problematic to some people, particularly parishioners who serve on parish or diocesan discernment committees. The question arises, “Why does one have to be ordained to conduct those kinds of ministries?” This and other on-going concerns were not meant to be resolved in this one, afternoon meeting. Instead, the Canon offered some of the thoughts of our bishop and the diocese in working on these deacon-related issues.

Transitional Council

The Canon then suggested the concept of a “transitional council,” yet to be defined except for the usage of the word “transitional,” that would be developed so that the bishop and the diocese could better define and move forward on the understanding and ministries of deacons. This council would not be a short term approach but a thoughtful and deliberate body addressing the myriad of misunderstandings about deacons. Whatever the outcome, the gathered deacons were asked for their input to the process.

Clergy Relationships

Relationships among clergy are important. Perhaps unknown to some, bishops and priests serve the Church in a collegial relationship. When a transitional deacon is ordained into the priesthood both the bishop and fellow priests touch the ordinand in the ordination liturgy. 

Deacons, however, are "attached" to their bishop in a superior-subordinate relationship. Priests, be it known, also serve under their bishops. But the bishop-deacon relationship is different. When a deacon is ordained, only the bishop's hands touch the ordinand. In traditional viewings of this relationship, deacons act on their bishop's biddings.

Summary

For me, I appreciate the attitude and effort behind calling this gathering of deacons. None of us will curtail our ministries while this transitional council works, of course not. We know the difficulties inherent in the undertaking of such a council, but we are prayerful that only good will emerge from their work. To say that we are grateful - for the efforts preceding this gathering - would be an understatement.

The gathering of deacons this past weekend, I believe, marks a new beginning. The long term results following this beginning will praise God and benefit His Holy Church.

A Blessing

As a deacon directly attached to his bishop, I believe I am authorized to bless the readers of this essay, and myself, with this modified, responsorial pontifical [episcopal] blessing.

Deacon           Our help is in the Name of the Lord;

Readers         The maker of heaven and earth.

Deacon           Blessed be the Name of the Lord;

Readers         From this time forth for evermore.

Deacon           May the blessing, mercy, and grace of God Almighty,

                         the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon

                         us, and remain with us for ever.  Amen.

Deacon           Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the

                        power of the Spirit.

Readers          Thanks be to God.