Diaconate Worldwide
Click on one of the following links for more information:
- DIAKONIA World Federation
- Deacons in the Anglican Communion
- Methodist Diaconal Order
- Deacons in the Church of Scotland
- Deacons in the Lutheran Tradition
- Deacons in the Catholic Church
- Deacons in the Orthodox Church
DIAKONIA World Federation
DIAKONIA World Federation is a world-wide federation of Diaconal Associations and Communities. It began after the Second World War and has expanded to include 70 member groups representing about 20,000 diaconal workers, diaconal ministers, deacons and deaconesses within a wide range of Christian traditions. Members are a diverse group of people of many languages and cultures working in extreme social situations to address issues of poverty, injustice, suffering, disability, prejudice.
DIAKONIA World Federation is divided into three regions:
DOTAC - DIAKONIA of the Americas and Caribbean;
DRAE - DIAKONIA Region Africa Europe;
DAP - DIAKONIA Asia Pacific.
Regional and World assemblies are held every two years. The last World Conference hosted in the UK was Durham City in 2005.
Deacons in the Anglican Communion
Deacons exist throughout the Anglican Communion, mostly in a transitionary capacity leading to priesthood, though some serve as vocational deacons.
Deacons have a distinct and significant role in many provinces, including the Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC) and the Episcopal Church of USA (ECUSA), as well as in an increasing number of Dioceses in the Church of England.
Methodist Diaconal Order
Methodist Deacons, both men and women, are united as a religious ministerial order. Their numbers have grown considerably since the re-founding and restructuring of the order in the 1980s.
Methodist deacons are all stipendiary and accept an itinerant ministry, willing to go where there is a need for diaconal work. Many, though not all, have a preaching ministry. All work alongside presbyteral colleagues and focus on community needs.
Deacons in the Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland has a long tradition of deaconesses and subsequently both men and women deacons working in the community. The diaconate is now recognised as an order of ministry.
Deacons in the Lutheran Tradition
The Lutheran Churches have a strong tradition of deacons and deaconesses, mostly working in nursing, social work or teaching. In some Lutheran Churches, eg Sweden, deacons are ordained ministers in the church, though the selection and formation years are specific to diaconal ministry and distinct from presbyteral formation.
Deacons in the Catholic Church
Following Vatican II the Roman Catholic Church restored its distinctive diaconate. Many Dioceses around the world have selected and trained deacons to work alongside priests making pastoral links with the community. Deacons are men and may be married.
Deacons in the Orthodox Churches
The Orthodox Church has always upheld the liturgical role of the deacon. Deacons are men and may or may not become priests. In most Orthodox traditions the liturgy requires both priest and deacon.
Some Links of general interest:
Links to websites concerning the diaconate - a fairly comprehensive list:
www.deaconpages.org
New initiative for training catholic deacons at Wesley College:
www.wesley-college-bristol.ac.uk
Women deacons in the Catholic Church:
www.womenpriests.org
A quiz on deacons:
www.deaconsplace.info