The Emerging Diaconate: Servant Leaders in a Servant Church

THE EMERGING DIACONATE looks at the proliferation of the permanent deacons in the Latin Church especially since the Order was renewed to a permanent ecclesiastical rank in 1967. Deacon Ditewig focuses on the traditional view of the deacon as a kenotic servant, but balances this self-emptying view of the deacon with theosis, the Eastern Catholic belief based on St. Paul’s phrase that deacons fill-up in Christ just as they pour themselves out in service of His Church. Written in a popular, narrative style, THE EMERGING DIACONATE eschews the 40-year-old model for the Deacon of Family first; Job second; Diaconate Third and presents new paradigms for this burgeoning ministry.

Highlights: * Blends history, theology, and insights from the social sciences to create a vision for the renewed contemporary diaconate * Provides unique research from the Second Vatican Council which offers a surprising look at how the Council envisioned the diaconate * Offers concrete suggestions for the future development of the diaconate, based on vision of the early pioneers of the renewed diaconate and in light of current ecclesial realities