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Understanding the Diaconate: Historical, Theological, and Sociological Foundations
What is a deacon? More than fiftyyears since the restoration of the permanent diaconate by the Second VaticanCouncil, the office of deacon is still in need of greater specificity about itspurpose and place within the mission and organizational structure of theChurch.
While the Church is more than asocial reality, the Church nonetheless has a social reality. Our understandingof the diaconate therefore benefits from a theological discussion of the divineelement of the Church and a sociological examination of the humanelement. Understanding the Diaconate adds the resources ofsociology and anthropology to the theological sources of scripture, liturgy,patristic era texts, theologians, and magisterial teachings to conclude thatthe deacon can be understood as "social intermediary and symbol of communities"who serves the participation of the laity in the life and mission of theChurch. This research proposes the deacon as a servant of the bond of communionwithin the Church (facilitating the relationship between the bishop/priest andhis people), and between the People of God and the individual in need. Thusauthentic diaconal ministry includes a vast array of many concrete contexts ofpastoral importance where one does more than simply serve at Mass.
Understanding the Diaconatewill undoubtedly be useful in the formation of permanent deacon candidates. Butby shedding light on the unique ministry of deacons, the book also reveals howevery member of the Church can be better supported and understood. Transitionaldeacons will come to understand the service-identity that lays the foundationfor their future presbyteral character; the laity will appreciate their ownvocational call in the world when they find a cleric accompanying them into thetemporal sphere; the bishop will have the means to extend and enhance his carefor his flock; and a world that is sick unto death will find the Church'shealing arm reaching out to it in word, liturgy, and charity. In these ways, W.Shawn McKnight makes clear the uniqueness of the deacon.
*David W. Fagerberg is a Professor in the Department of Theologyat the University of Notre Dame. He holds masters degrees from LutherNorthwestern Seminary, St. John's University (Collegeville), Yale DivinitySchool, and Yale University. His Ph.D. is from Yale University in liturgicaltheology
While the Church is more than asocial reality, the Church nonetheless has a social reality. Our understandingof the diaconate therefore benefits from a theological discussion of the divineelement of the Church and a sociological examination of the humanelement. Understanding the Diaconate adds the resources ofsociology and anthropology to the theological sources of scripture, liturgy,patristic era texts, theologians, and magisterial teachings to conclude thatthe deacon can be understood as "social intermediary and symbol of communities"who serves the participation of the laity in the life and mission of theChurch. This research proposes the deacon as a servant of the bond of communionwithin the Church (facilitating the relationship between the bishop/priest andhis people), and between the People of God and the individual in need. Thusauthentic diaconal ministry includes a vast array of many concrete contexts ofpastoral importance where one does more than simply serve at Mass.
Understanding the Diaconatewill undoubtedly be useful in the formation of permanent deacon candidates. Butby shedding light on the unique ministry of deacons, the book also reveals howevery member of the Church can be better supported and understood. Transitionaldeacons will come to understand the service-identity that lays the foundationfor their future presbyteral character; the laity will appreciate their ownvocational call in the world when they find a cleric accompanying them into thetemporal sphere; the bishop will have the means to extend and enhance his carefor his flock; and a world that is sick unto death will find the Church'shealing arm reaching out to it in word, liturgy, and charity. In these ways, W.Shawn McKnight makes clear the uniqueness of the deacon.
*David W. Fagerberg is a Professor in the Department of Theologyat the University of Notre Dame. He holds masters degrees from LutherNorthwestern Seminary, St. John's University (Collegeville), Yale DivinitySchool, and Yale University. His Ph.D. is from Yale University in liturgicaltheology
336 pages, Paperback
Published July 13, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 7, 2019
The best book I have read about the diaconate. Clearly defines what a deacon is, what they are not. Full review to follow.
...
I have both a personal and academic interest in Diaconal studies. Over the last few years I have read a half dozen books about the Diaconate, I have started an not finished just as many, and still have that many in my to be read pile. And I must state, clearly, and definitively, that this is by far the most comprehensive book on the Deaconate that I have read to date. I read this book of three weeks, taking my time, and really digging into the material. I know it may seem odd, but I want to begin with two quotes from the conclusion:
“An inadequate role description for Latin-rite deacons hampers the effectiveness of their ministry. For the diaconate to become successful it must have a specialized ministry that is well-defined and important to the life and mission of the church. Deacons know they are called to serve as ordained ministers, and they have some concrete guidance regarding what they are allowed to do, but pastoral demands and a lack of clarity pull them in various directions. We should not assume that, because the ranks of permanent deacons have been growing and the pastoral need is great, the diaconate will simply flourish now that it has been restored. The original Golden Age of the deacon in the history of the church, as we have seen, occurred before the legalization of Christianity in the Roman Empire, before the church grew to its large present structure of dioceses and parishes.”
and
“For the diaconate to thrive, bishops, priests, the laity, and the deacons themselves must understand what deacons are called to do and whether a particular ministry is appropriate for the diaconate. The deacon’s role cannot be reduced to a simple set of tasks, whether charitable or liturgical. Such limitations of the deacon’s scope occurred after the Golden Age of the diaconate in the church’s history, and the result was the gradual diminishment of the diaconate to a mere stepping stone to the priesthood—the very situation that the Second Vatican Council sought to remedy by restoring a “permanent” diaconate. Instead, deacons need a focal understanding of their role that organizes many potential activities, encouraging some and discouraging others.”
As I was reading this volume, I had to reign myself in and slow down and process the material. It was hard to put the book down. It in part reads like an academic text, and in part like a spiritual manual. The textbook part is objective, honest, and critical. Critical in the sense of a true and complete look at the Diaconate in history, as it is today, and what it could grow to become. But the book is also infused with faith and hope. Hope that the diaconate can grow and flourish not just in numbers, but in substance, in fulfilling the role envisioned. And part of that growth will only come about because of books like this that flesh out what the role of deacons should be, what it should not be, and help to fill the knowledge gap in regard to both of those.
The focus in this book is the charism of the deacon. What it is meant to be. Bishop McKnight also examines what it often becomes. The emphasis is on the deacon as social intermediary. The bridge between clergy the people and bishops. And between the church and those in need.
Reading this book as someone who has been discerning the diaconate and put off applying because of family issues. This book provides encouragement, and clarification. It Is very academic, and yet remains accessible. The writing is such that you just want to keep reading. And in fact, I was greatly disappointed upon finishing it to not find any other book by Archbishop McKnight available to pursue. But that being said, I will likely return to this volume and reread it in another year or so.
I recommend this book to all deacons, to grow in your knowledge, understand, practice and charism of your ordination. For those discerning the diaconate I have not come across a better resource. For Bishops, priests, and other religious this book will be an excellent read, not just to highlight what deacons are called to be, but what they are not. And for the rest of the lay faithful it will give you a clear understanding of Deacons, Priests, and Bishops, their roles, their relationships to each other and their relationships to us. It is an excellent read and I give it a solid 5/5 stars recommendation.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2019 Catholic Reading Plan! And links to reviews of other books on the Diaconate.
...
I have both a personal and academic interest in Diaconal studies. Over the last few years I have read a half dozen books about the Diaconate, I have started an not finished just as many, and still have that many in my to be read pile. And I must state, clearly, and definitively, that this is by far the most comprehensive book on the Deaconate that I have read to date. I read this book of three weeks, taking my time, and really digging into the material. I know it may seem odd, but I want to begin with two quotes from the conclusion:
“An inadequate role description for Latin-rite deacons hampers the effectiveness of their ministry. For the diaconate to become successful it must have a specialized ministry that is well-defined and important to the life and mission of the church. Deacons know they are called to serve as ordained ministers, and they have some concrete guidance regarding what they are allowed to do, but pastoral demands and a lack of clarity pull them in various directions. We should not assume that, because the ranks of permanent deacons have been growing and the pastoral need is great, the diaconate will simply flourish now that it has been restored. The original Golden Age of the deacon in the history of the church, as we have seen, occurred before the legalization of Christianity in the Roman Empire, before the church grew to its large present structure of dioceses and parishes.”
and
“For the diaconate to thrive, bishops, priests, the laity, and the deacons themselves must understand what deacons are called to do and whether a particular ministry is appropriate for the diaconate. The deacon’s role cannot be reduced to a simple set of tasks, whether charitable or liturgical. Such limitations of the deacon’s scope occurred after the Golden Age of the diaconate in the church’s history, and the result was the gradual diminishment of the diaconate to a mere stepping stone to the priesthood—the very situation that the Second Vatican Council sought to remedy by restoring a “permanent” diaconate. Instead, deacons need a focal understanding of their role that organizes many potential activities, encouraging some and discouraging others.”
As I was reading this volume, I had to reign myself in and slow down and process the material. It was hard to put the book down. It in part reads like an academic text, and in part like a spiritual manual. The textbook part is objective, honest, and critical. Critical in the sense of a true and complete look at the Diaconate in history, as it is today, and what it could grow to become. But the book is also infused with faith and hope. Hope that the diaconate can grow and flourish not just in numbers, but in substance, in fulfilling the role envisioned. And part of that growth will only come about because of books like this that flesh out what the role of deacons should be, what it should not be, and help to fill the knowledge gap in regard to both of those.
The focus in this book is the charism of the deacon. What it is meant to be. Bishop McKnight also examines what it often becomes. The emphasis is on the deacon as social intermediary. The bridge between clergy the people and bishops. And between the church and those in need.
Reading this book as someone who has been discerning the diaconate and put off applying because of family issues. This book provides encouragement, and clarification. It Is very academic, and yet remains accessible. The writing is such that you just want to keep reading. And in fact, I was greatly disappointed upon finishing it to not find any other book by Archbishop McKnight available to pursue. But that being said, I will likely return to this volume and reread it in another year or so.
I recommend this book to all deacons, to grow in your knowledge, understand, practice and charism of your ordination. For those discerning the diaconate I have not come across a better resource. For Bishops, priests, and other religious this book will be an excellent read, not just to highlight what deacons are called to be, but what they are not. And for the rest of the lay faithful it will give you a clear understanding of Deacons, Priests, and Bishops, their roles, their relationships to each other and their relationships to us. It is an excellent read and I give it a solid 5/5 stars recommendation.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2019 Catholic Reading Plan! And links to reviews of other books on the Diaconate.
January 19, 2019
Bishop McKnight’s work on the diaconate is rooted in the history and theology of the church and, with the help of scripture, history, the documents of the church, and the insights of social science, it opens a needed discussion for the future of the diaconate.
Bishop McKnight presents a two-fold role for the deacon. The deacon is a social intermediary, working “to connect the people of God with their local leader, the bishop, and the church with the needs of the poor.” He is “a bridge-builder drawing church leaders, ordinary believers, and people on the margins loser together” (p. 254). He is also a symbol of communitas, the community which is the people of God, encouraging “the faithful to see each other in their shared humanity, more basic than all social roles and distinctions” (ibid.)
The last chapters include his analysis of the current state of the diaconate in the US as well as suggestions for developing a distinctive role for the deacon that respects his special charism.
As a deacon, I found the book to be important for deepening the understanding and experience of being a deacon.
It is not an easy read. It needs to be studied, not skimmed. I recommend it.
Bishop McKnight presents a two-fold role for the deacon. The deacon is a social intermediary, working “to connect the people of God with their local leader, the bishop, and the church with the needs of the poor.” He is “a bridge-builder drawing church leaders, ordinary believers, and people on the margins loser together” (p. 254). He is also a symbol of communitas, the community which is the people of God, encouraging “the faithful to see each other in their shared humanity, more basic than all social roles and distinctions” (ibid.)
The last chapters include his analysis of the current state of the diaconate in the US as well as suggestions for developing a distinctive role for the deacon that respects his special charism.
As a deacon, I found the book to be important for deepening the understanding and experience of being a deacon.
It is not an easy read. It needs to be studied, not skimmed. I recommend it.
July 16, 2019
Well done!
I think this book is important because it addresses or tries to address what hasn't yet been done by the church in better defining the diakonia in canon law and other documents. In doing this, the author does a service for the church and helps her to continue the work of Vatican II in restoring the diakonia.
I think this book is important because it addresses or tries to address what hasn't yet been done by the church in better defining the diakonia in canon law and other documents. In doing this, the author does a service for the church and helps her to continue the work of Vatican II in restoring the diakonia.
May 18, 2023
Excellent analysis of the diaconate. It provided a complete overview of its history, theological foundations, and sociological aspect to argue for the diaconate as an intermediary.
This sentence summarizes it for me: "Deacons will thrive if they serve as a structure of mercy for the church." (175)
This sentence summarizes it for me: "Deacons will thrive if they serve as a structure of mercy for the church." (175)
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews