Associated Parishes for Liturgy and Mission
We share a passion for renewing liturgy and engaging the baptized in mission.
Diakonia
In April 1977, the APLM Council meeting in Oklahoma, issued the Wewoka Statement on the diaconate as a full, normal ministry in the church. Since that time much progress has been made in many dioceses, while others lag behind. The statement said in part:
"It is not an auxiliary ministry. Deacons and priests have equal but different ministries whose functions are clearly outlined in the new ordinal of the Proposed Book of Common Prayer."
The statement went on to call for two things that have not yet occured, 1) direct ordination to the priesthood, and 2) deacons being eligible for election as a bishop (and ordained directly to that order if elected).
What is holding back this return of the diaconate as a full, normal order of ministry that is understood as something other than an auxilliary ministry or a stepping stone?
"It is not an auxiliary ministry. Deacons and priests have equal but different ministries whose functions are clearly outlined in the new ordinal of the Proposed Book of Common Prayer."
The statement went on to call for two things that have not yet occured, 1) direct ordination to the priesthood, and 2) deacons being eligible for election as a bishop (and ordained directly to that order if elected).
What is holding back this return of the diaconate as a full, normal order of ministry that is understood as something other than an auxilliary ministry or a stepping stone?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ormonde Plater on -
What held it back, in 2003, and probably still holds it back, is the House of Bishops of The Episcopal Church. In General Convention that year they declined to remove the transitional diaconate as a prerequisite for the presbyterate.
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