We specialize in hard to find items
All Categories
Understanding the Diaconate: Historical, Theological, and Sociological Foundations
Share Tweet
*Price and Stocks may change without prior notice
*Packaging of actual item may differ from photo shown
- Electrical items MAY be 110 volts.
- 7 Day Return Policy
- All products are genuine and original
About Understanding The
Product Description 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 Review "What a gift! Understanding the Diaconate is a welcome addition to the library of any deacon or deacon candidate." --Deacon Greg Kandra "Using church history and social science McKnight carves out a defined space within which the Diaconal ministry can most fruit-fully be understood and exercised." --James Keating, Creighton University "We are delighted to be publishing Shawn McKnight's book Understanding the Diaconate: Historical, Theological, and Sociological Foundations. The permanent diaconate puzzles many of the faithful,and so a book that outlines the deeper aspects of this state of holy orders is to be welcomed. We are also delighted to report that since his manuscript went into production, McKnight was appointed by Pope Francis to be the bishop of the diocese of Jefferson City. Congratulations, Your Excellency!"--Letter from the Director, Trevor Lipscombe About the Author NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AUTHORITY ON THE PERMANENT DIACONATE Bishop W. Shawn McKnight was ordained a deacon on Nov. 27, 1993. Although he has since then been ordained a priest and bishop, he will remain a deacon forever. So it is with everypriest and bishop in the Church. Bishop McKnight's has taken a great interest in the restoration of the permanent diaconate as called for by the Second Vatican Council. "I spent three years in Rome studying sacramental theology, and I wrote a dissertation on the permanent diaconate under the guidance of Father James Puglisi, a Franciscan Friar of the Atonement and the director of the Ecumenical Center i
