Deacons and the Church
Publisher: Paulist Press
Published: April 2004
Language: eng
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 160
ISBN-13: 9780809142422
Subjects: Christian ministry & pastoral activity; Religion - Classic Works; Inspirational - Catholic; Religion - Catholicism; Religion; Christian Church - Church Administration; Christian Life - Inspirational - Catholic; Leadership; Deacons; Catholic Church
First sentence: The introductory quotation from Basic Norms for the Formation of Permanent Deacons immediately alerts us to the overall function of the diaconate.
Description: "Deacons and the Church presents a popular narrative history of the Order of the Diaconate in the Catholic Church from its dawn on the biblical scene in the Acts of the Apostles (with Saints Stephen and Philip), through the "golden age" of deacons in the fifth century. With the emergence of the "cultic priesthood," the diaconate as a unique and discrete member of the clergy declined into a transitional role - but never disappeared. Indeed, Dr. Cummings points out that the most popular saint (after Mary), Francis of Assisi, was a deacon - as were Saints Lawrence and Ephrem, all of whom are offered here as models of "Deacons for Deacons."" "The Second Vatican Council restored the Order of Deacon to a "full and permanent" membership in the clergy, along with priests and bishops. Now thirty thousand deacons serve the Church throughout the world and remain the fastest-growing clerical rank within the Latin Church. Deacon Cummings reflects on how this surge in the membership of the Order of Deacons will affect the Church in the years to come."--BOOK JACKET.