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.
