tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post423109161027747739..comments2023-09-27T02:46:21.569-07:00Comments on Deacons Today: Musings on Diakonia and Diaconate: Point to Ponder #8: Thinking With the People of GodDeacon William T. Ditewig, Ph.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11525431509279159558noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-48955209452658059112022-02-23T11:05:39.468-08:002022-02-23T11:05:39.468-08:00WWJD
Would Jesus even have entertained such a self...WWJD<br />Would Jesus even have entertained such a self-serving question?<br />Is this the Church of the poor, as Pope Francis has proclaimed? Or does the Church belong to those who seek validation and power by dressing so as to set themselves apart from those doing the real work of the Kingdom? Is this what we have come to, gentlemen? Did Jesus need a special "outfit" in order to serve and heal?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-86581342958299360792010-12-08T10:36:38.228-08:002010-12-08T10:36:38.228-08:00Dear Norb,
You were misinformed, so you can put y...Dear Norb,<br /><br />You were misinformed, so you can put your collar away. Permanent deacons do not wear the collar in Rome. This point was stressed back in 2000 as well when deacons from around the world, along with many of their wives, gathered for the Jubilee Day for Deacons. The message went out: no collars in Rome.<br /><br />In fact, a funny aside. The pope had personally invited eight (women) deacons from the Church of Sweden (Lutheran) to the Jubilee Day. The ONLY permanent deacons in Rome wearing Roman collars during the audience were the eight ladies sitting in the front row right in front of the pope. A couple of the curial monsignori almost had strokes, but the pope was cool with it.<br /><br />God bless,<br /><br />BillDeacon William T. Ditewig, Ph.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11525431509279159558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-23640899051227175022010-12-08T10:33:16.722-08:002010-12-08T10:33:16.722-08:00Dear Lacustrine,
The fact is, there were many pro...Dear Lacustrine,<br /><br />The fact is, there were many problems at that point in that diocese's history. Did the deacons' council understand its role adequately? I doubt it, given the response. Should there have been a climate that would have encouraged their creative response? Absolutely, and that seems to have been missing.<br /><br />Still, one would hope that deacons would take the initiative when these crises are being faced by the whole church around them.<br /><br />By the way, knowing a number of the deacons of that diocese, I can tell you that very few of them are particularly "needy" in the sense of needing affirmation of their vocation. It was just unfortunate all the way around.<br /><br />God bless,<br /><br />BillDeacon William T. Ditewig, Ph.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11525431509279159558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-30744731226049364742010-12-07T04:09:15.276-08:002010-12-07T04:09:15.276-08:00Having served on diocesan planning, education, and...Having served on diocesan planning, education, and pastoral committees as well as a deacon council, I've some questions regarding the deacon council's request:<br />Are they aware that the bishop is seeking real and independent advice based on experience and fresh data, and not just affirmation of decisions made from anecdote and desire?<br />Have they had an opportunity to see data accepted by decision makers and a decision making process that welcomes input modeled?<br />Is the request for the collar really a plea for help in getting the respect the office deserves?Lacustrine Lectiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07739490201921874078noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-8988782911170977462010-12-07T02:23:56.902-08:002010-12-07T02:23:56.902-08:00Ten Page:
Your question is a very good one. Answ...Ten Page:<br /><br />Your question is a very good one. Answers, however, range all over the spectrum. <br /><br />I'll leave it to other to repeat the sometimes tedious arguments but Deacon Bill is absolutely correct on this. It can and does become a fixation for some deacons.<br /><br />In my case, I do own a collar but only wore it once -- in Rome on the Wednesday I attended the Papal audience during my pilgrimage a few years back. The only reason I bought is that I was briefed in advance that deacons were expected to wear a collar while in Rome.<br /><br />That is the only time I have ever worn it.<br /><br />Deacon Norb in OhioNorberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10464878965952469636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-7597024504124080802010-12-06T13:39:57.883-08:002010-12-06T13:39:57.883-08:00I guess my question is why the deacons wanted to b...I guess my question is why the deacons wanted to be allowed to wear the Roman collar. If they see that as an important witness to others, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, perhaps the issue would have been worth considering. If they were being as narrow minded as I think we are led to believe, then I agree with the bishop's perspective.Ten Pagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10786495943934171645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-11183196211797984822010-12-06T07:00:56.570-08:002010-12-06T07:00:56.570-08:00Hand it out at baptism and regularly thereafter......Hand it out at baptism and regularly thereafter...<br /><br />Thanks for a thought-provoking post for everyone, not just deacons.Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12617476463347663364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595608247665759734.post-31827162490546007212010-12-04T19:08:01.908-08:002010-12-04T19:08:01.908-08:00WOW! This one should be handed out at ordination ...WOW! This one should be handed out at ordination (or maybe admission to candidacy).Ronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16858192358085762357noreply@blogger.com