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Those who receive the sacrament of Holy Orders are consecrated in Christ's name "to feed the Church by the word and grace of God." Holy Orders is the sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time: thus it is the sacrament of apostolic ministry.
There are three ranks of clergy: bishops (episcopate), priests (presbyterate or 'elders'), and diaconate. Bishops have the care of multiple congregations and appoint, ordain, and discipline priests and deacons. Priests have the responsibility of teaching, governing, and providing the sacraments in a given congregation (1 Tim. 5:17; Jas. 5:14–15). Deacons are the assistants of the bishops and are responsible for teaching and administering certain Church tasks, such as the distribution of food (Acts 6:1–6)
-- Learn more about the Sacrament of Holy Orders from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops |
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A deacon is ordained for the service of a diocesan church. The deacon stands in a direct relationship with his diocesan bishop, in communion with whom and under whose authority he exercises his ministry. Deacons exercise their distinct ministry in communion not only with the bishop but also with priests. Deacons become members of the clergy, with the rights and responsibilities that follow from that position. Deacons should consider it an important part of their ministry to promote and inspire participation in the life and activity of the Church, which the laity have a right and duty by virtue of their baptism and charisms.
As the deacon’s role in the Ministry of Service, the deacon is to inspire, promote, and help coordinate the service that the whole Church must undertake in imitation of Christ. He has a special responsibility to identify to the Church those in need, those who are without power or voice at the margins of our society. He is the representative figure in whom the Church reaches out to the needy.
The deacon’s role in the Ministry of the Word includes proclaiming the Gospel at the Liturgy, preaching, counseling, catechetical instructions, outreach to alienated Catholics, and parish programs. Deacons in an informal way are to witness the Gospel in the marketplace as a Catholic and ordained ministers.
The deacon’s role in the Ministry of Liturgy is one that brings to the Church, gathered in worship, the gifts of the people and articulates their needs. At the Eucharist, the deacon proclaims the Gospel, voices the needs of the people in the general intercessions, assists in the presentation of the gifts, and distributes communion. The deacon can baptize, witness marriages, bring viaticum to the dying, preside over funerals and burials. The deacon can also preside over liturgies of the Word, Liturgy of the Hours, exposition and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, conduct prayer services for the sick and dying, and administer certain of the Church’s sacramentals. |
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