The Deacon

Immediately following his election as bishop of Rome, Pope Leo XIV spoke about his commitment to continuing the work of synodality inaugurated by his predecessor: “We want to be a synodal Church,” he said, “a Church that moves forward, a Church that always seeks peace, that always seeks charity, that always seeks to be close, above all, to those who are suffering” (Urbi et Orbi, May 8).

In what sense does the diaconate share in the work of synodality and how is that reflected in the Eastern Christian tradition? Looking to the previously defined three dimensions of synodality — communion, participation and mission — it may be helpful to see how these might be applied, especially at the level of the local Church, and in what way these might help inspire deacons from other traditions.

Communion: The first synodal dimension, communion, refers to living a vibrant and dynamic spiritual life as a parish community of Christ’s disciples, listening to the word of God and sharing in the life and love of the Holy Trinity through our faith, worship and common mission. This is especially associated with the summit of our Christian life together in the Divine Praises (that is, the Liturgy of the Hours) and culminating in the Eucharistic liturgy. Within each of these services, the deacon can be seen visibly and audibly serving as a mediating bridge between the lay faithful and the hierarchical priesthood as its lowest rank of service. This should be a mirror of his pastoral role in strengthening the bonds of communion in the local Church, especially through his ministry of connecting individuals and groups to the life and mission of the Church; listening to and gathering needs for offering intercessions; proclaiming the Gospel in Scripture, homiletics and catechesis; and encouraging the prayers of the priest and the faithful. If he is fulfilling his ordained mission, the deacon is truly a mediator of communion in parish life.

Participation: The second synodal dimension, participation, refers to the charismatic and practical involvement of the whole People of God in the life and mission of the Church, which flow from the Father through the Son in the Holy Spirit and returns to the Father. Here the deacon also has a vital role to play in cultivating the personal holiness and animating the charisms of the faithful, mirroring his liturgical role, in which he invites and directs the faithful to participate and respond at specific moments. To accomplish this, a deacon as a pastoral minister of the Church needs to both listen to the needs and aspirations of others, especially in relation to the direction of the parish and the exercise of their talents. There should be no passive participants in the Church, and the deacon helps to connect people to ways they can serve. If he is fulfilling his ordained mission, the deacon is truly an animator of participation in parish life.

Mission: The third synodal dimension, mission, refers to the great evangelical commission given by Christ to the Church to be sent to all the nations to make disciples. Having shared the communion of trinitarian life in the faith and worship of the Church, and participated in the charisms meant for the edification of the Body of Christ, faithful disciples must become missionary disciples by announcing the Good News through presence, witness and proclamation. Here the deacon, in collaboration with the local bishop and presbyterate, helps to engage the faithful in support especially of prayer and of the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. This is the liturgy after the liturgy! If he is fulfilling his ordained mission, the deacon is truly an advocate of mission in parish life.

By engaging in his full ministry of service to the communion, participation and mission of the local parish, a faithful deacon can most certainly mediate, animate and advocate for a more synodal Church.

FATHER DANIEL DOZIER is co-founder and chief learning officer for The Center for InMinistry Development and an associate professor of Scripture and Catholic leadership, inministrydevelopment.com.