The Deacon Reader - A Review

Anthony Gooley

James Keating (ed) The Deacon Reader.  Paulist Press, New York, 2006

The Deacon Reader is an attempt to bring together a number of writers to contribute to reflection on the ministry of deacons.  The book has a clearly developed structure such that each of the parts contributes to the whole purpose of the book, which is to “give the reader an overview of the theological and pastoral nature of the diaconate and thus to clarify the fundamental identity of the deacon.”  It is aimed at aspirants, candidates and deacons as well as the general reader.

Diaconal identity is considered in three parts; historical and theological foundations, pastoral foundations and sociological foundations.  While readers will find a great deal of excellent scholarship and much to think about in response to the chapters, the book is uneven in quality.

Part one develops the theme of the historical and theological foundations in six chapters.  Chapters one and two, looking at the history and contemporary renewal of the diaconate, are compelling reading and well researched.  The role of the deacon in energising the mission of the laity is explored with some very interesting insights found in chapter four.  I did not find the kenotic identity of the deacon, developed in chapter three, fully convincing.  The authors were trying to engage with three sources in developing a theological identity; research on diakonia by John N Collins, early Church sources and current documents.  Readers familiar with the early diaconate in the USA will note a change in focus and robustness in the diaconate that is now emerging in the USA.  Readers may come away with a sense that the theological foundations have yet to be fully developed.

Part three develops the pastoral foundations of diaconal identity in chapter’s seven to eleven. Important challenges are issued about initial and ongoing theological formation of deacons in chapter seven.  The relationship between a bishop and his deacons is considered in chapter eight and some bishops might find the words from a fellow bishop challenging.  Personal prayer and the sacramental ministry of deacons are developed briefly in chapters nine and eleven.  The place of the deacon in the workforce and what that could mean for the church is explored with some freshness in chapter ten, which is the best reflection I have read on the deacon in fulltime secular employment.  Chapter 10 also suggests that there is an underdeveloped potential of the ministry of deacons, especially with regard to the renewal of the mission life of the whole church.

Part three develops the sociological foundation of diaconate and explores the relationship between orders and marriage, the impact of a deacon’s ministry on family and perceptions of wives.  The section on wives of deacons had some strong negative reactions from women who are wives of deacons or candidates for diaconate.  Some of them felt that the author was arguing for over identification by the wife with her husband’s ministry that they did not share.

The book brings together in one place a lot of very useful material that would be suitable as a formation tool in diaconal programs and for deacons for ongoing formation.  Bishops, key diocesan planning commissions and Catholics who want to explore the meaning and potential of the diaconate for our Church would find this book a helpful guide to inform their deliberations about the place of deacons in the pastoral life if the local church.

Anthony Gooley