From the Synod: “Are there new ways of using the permanent diaconate and those who are permanent deacons to be ministers and bearers of mercy?”

Last updated on: October 7, 2015 at 1:22 am by Deacon Greg Kandra

From the Synod: “Are there new ways of using the permanent diaconate and those who are permanent deacons to be ministers and bearers of mercy?” 2015-10-07T01:22:11-04:00 Deacon Greg Kandra

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Deacon Bill Ditewig caught this interesting moment yesterday:

At a recent press conference (6 October 2015) held in Rome highlighting some of the points raised thus far in the Synod, Father Thomas Rosica summarized one particular area of special concern for deacons. As phrased by Father Rosica, some Synodal Fathers were asking, “How can the permanent diaconate come to the aid of so many people who are in need of mercy? Are there new ways of using the permanent diaconate and those who are permanent deacons to be real ministers and bearers of mercy?”

Here is a link to the full press conference. Father Rosica’s brief questions on the diaconate begin at about 24:08.

Deacon Bill unpacks that:

“Are there new ways of using the permanent diaconate and those who are permanent deacons to be real ministers and bearers of mercy?”

Here I sense several significant opportunities:

First: Notice the distinction he makes between the diaconate itself and those of us who are deacons. This suggests that there is interest in the very nature of the diaconate, the fundamental core of the Order.

Second: What are the possible “new ways” of using the diaconate? Taking just one example: might there be a re-opening of the question of deacons anointing the sick under certain circumstances, perhaps? Most of the ways we can be used are already included in our canon and liturgical law, so something “new” would seem to be suggesting a willingness to look at things not previously considered. I am using Anointing of the Sick only as an example here; I am not promoting it or suggesting that this is what is being suggested at the Synod. But if the bishops are open to looking at “new ways” of using deacons, what might come up in the discussions?

That’s for starters. Read the rest.

The Anointing of the Sick comes up often in conversation about diaconal ministry. Rome decided a few years back that this sacrament was to be confined only to priests or bishops. (I posted about this again last month; check out this link.) But while leading a retreat last weekend in Montana, I was struck by the serious need in some parts of the world. In Montana, for example, where there are few priests (and fewer deacons), if someone needs an anointing urgently, it very well will not happen. The ministers of the sacrament are too scarce, and the distance they need to travel too far. Empowering deacons—or even extraordinary ministers of the sacrament—might be helpful. But, as we’ve seen, that seems for now unlikely.

Bishops

Deacons

Previous Post

October 7, 2015

Confessions of a new confessor

Next Post

October 7, 2015 Kelsey Grammer’s pro-life witness

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category "Mad Men" 9/11 advent All Things New Amazing video amazing videos amazon america Anglicans Anti-Catholicism art ascension thursday ash wednesday Atheists baltimore Bible Bishops Blogging bonnie engstrom Books bridgeport Brooklyn Chaplains children christian art christmas Church Churches CNEWA Converts criticism Deacons Death Penalty easter eastern christian Eastern Christians Ecumenism education Education Eucharist Europe euthanasia Evangelization Exorcism Family Feasts Gay rights Good Friday Great links Great Moments in Journalism Hanging with the saints heather renshaw Hispanic Catholics Hispanics History homelies Homilies Humor Hymn of the Week Immigration indianapolis Inspiration Interfaith news ireland Jesus Jews Journalism Judaism lent Liturgy logos Marriage Mary Media Medical news Mental health Middle East Monks Movies Music Muslims My world and welcome to it New Evangelization new york News Nuns Parenting Parish life peoria Persecution Politics politics Pope pope francis pope john paul Prayer Preaching Priests Pro-life Quote of the day radio rebecca frech ripp Ripped from the headlines rippred from the headlines Sacraments saints Scripture sex abuse Sex abuse crisis SEX ABUSE CRISIS TAGGED WITH: SEX ABUSE CRISIS The people in the pews the visitation project theatre This & that Thomas Merton Trappists TV Uncategorized uncategorized Vatican VATICAN vocation Vocations Voices & Views Women Worth a thousand words Writing Year of Faith year of mercy young people

Select a Month December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What false teaching did Paul correct in 1 Corinthians 15?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Animal sacrifice Pagan temple worship Circumcision Denial of resurrection

Books by This Author Books by Deacon Greg Kandra

See All Titles »