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The introductory quotation from Basic Norms for the Formation of Permanent Deacons immediately alerts us to the overall function of the diaconate. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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The work could have been improved by a few concise pages (maybe as an appendix) on exactly what Deacons are and are not authorised to do in the life of the Church, and on practical points such as their training and attire. Stories from the life-experience of permanent deacons would have been illuminating, as would some acknowledgment of non-North American practice, but I suppose that is not the book Cummings set out to write. It is being used in my (English) diocese as an introductory text offered to men at an early stage of exploring a diaconal vocation, and for that purpose, save for the practical shortfalls mentioned, it is an excellent work
These and many other questions beg to be examined in a systematic and reflective manner, and a necessary condition for doing so is to begin to look at the theology and spirituality of deaconal service. Alas, this hasn't been done too often up to now. Analyses of the diaconate have tended to focus (to use Cummings' distinction) on either the "power" of the diaconate (its function) or the "history" of the diaconate. As a consequence, the Holy Order of deacons still leaves many people in the church confused: many bishops don't know what to do with deacons, priests sometimes see them as nuisances, and parishoners tend to think of them as assistant priests.
Owen Cummings' book is the first to begin to think about the permanent diaconate from a theological perspective. Although written from the vantage point of the Roman Catholic tradition, it is invaluable for other Christian traditions (such as my own, Anglicanism) that ordains deacons. Cummings examines the history of the diaconate and its renewal in the twentieth century. This is pretty standard stuff. Much more importantly, however, is his attempt to sketch out a kenotic spirituality of the diaconate by the wonderful device of interpreting Jesus as a deacon. Also extremely good is his discussion of the "dysfunctional" deacon: the pitfalls (for example, clericalism, ritualism, anti-intellectualism) that deacons can fall into.
All in all, an excellent effort. There's still much prayer and work to be done in reawakening to the full meaning and promise of the permanent diaconate, but Cummings has gotten us off to a good start. Heartily recommended.
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