The permanent diaconate had been phased out centuries ago in the Latin Rite Church and the only deacons were transitional deacons, so their duties, which including batizing, were seen as OJT.I was wondering what if any are the differences between the role of the Deacon in the Church before and after Vatican II.
Also, was the Deacon, before Vatican II, allowed to administer the Sacrament of Baptism.
As the other poster mentioned the permanent deacons had been phased out for a long time. I believe that they did perform baptisms though. Note baptism is ordinarily performed by a priest, bishop or deacon, but can in emergencies be performed by anybody who says the right words and intends to do what the church does in baptism. As far as I know Deacons, although ordained have no special “priestly” powers to administer sacraments. They can witness marriages and perform baptisms.I was wondering what if any are the differences between the role of the Deacon in the Church before and after Vatican II.
Also, was the Deacon, before Vatican II, allowed to administer the Sacrament of Baptism.
The title deacon comes from the Greek word diakonia meaning “servant.” A deacon has a special attachment to the bishop in the tasks of service and is configured to Christ, the Deacon-or Servant-of all (d. CCC, nos. 1569-1570).
“There are two degrees of ministerial participation in the priesthood of Christ: the episcopacy and the presbyterate. The diaconate is intended to help and serve them” (CCC, no. 1554). The three degrees of the Sacrament of Holy Orders-bishop, priest, and deacon-are all conferred by ordination.
Deacons receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders from a bishop and are ordained not to the ministerial priesthood but to the ministry of service. Through ordination the deacon is conformed to Christ, who came to serve, not to be served. In the Latin Church, deacons may baptize, proclaim the Gospel, preach the homily, assist the bishop or priest in -the celebration of the Eucharist, assist at and bless marriages, and preside at funerals. They dedicate themselves to charitable endeavors, which was their ministerial role in New Testament times.
Whether they are involved in the Church’s liturgical or pastoral life or in her social and charitable endeavors, deacons are “strengthened by the imposition of hands that has come down from the apostles. They would be more closely bound to the altar and their ministry would be made more fruitful through the sacramental grace of the diaconate” (AG, 16, no. 6).
Since the Second Vatican Council, the Latin Church has restored the diaconate as a permanent rank of the hierarchy. Now, diaconate as a permanent office may also be conferred on both married and unmarried men. The Eastern Churches have always retained it. Seminarians preparing for priesthood have always been ordained to the diaconate before ordination to priesthood.
My guess would be no, unless you mean in an established Anglican-Use Catholic community.I’m being ordained as a Roman Catholic Deacon in May od 2011 and I was asked if a catholic deacon can participate in an Anglican Eucharistic celebration if so what is His role and if not what is His role
Ask your Bishop!I’m being ordained as a Roman Catholic Deacon in May od 2011 and I was asked if a catholic deacon can participate in an Anglican Eucharistic celebration if so what is His role and if not what is His role