The Deacon's Ministry of Charity and Justice

by William T. Ditewig

Overview

The deacon's exercise of charity and justice extends the loving hand of God's constant love and mercy to all who are in need. The Vatican's Congregation for Catholic Education has called this work “the ministry most characteristic of the deacon."
 
In The Deacon’s Ministry of Charity and Justice, Deacon William Ditewig focuses on this ministry as a constitutive element of the nature of the Church itself—always flowing from the ministries of Word and Sacrament and leading back to them, never apart from them. Along with a rich exploration of the scriptural, historical, and theological foundation of the deacon's practice of charity and justice, Deacon Ditewig—one of today's foremost experts on the permanent diaconate—develops specific and concrete principles for exercising these ministries faithfully, authentically, and effectively.

The Deacon’s Ministry series explores the three fundamental diaconal ministries identified in the teaching of Vatican II: those of the liturgy, of the word, and of charity to the people of God (Lumen Gentium 29). This series, written by three highly regarded permanent deacons, offers a rich combination of theology, spirituality, and practical and effective guidance. Deacons and those in diaconal formation, their families, the bishops and priests they work with, and the people they serve will welcome it.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814648490
Publisher:	Liturgical Press
Publication date:	12/07/2015
Series:	Deacon's Ministry
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	112
Sales rank:	749,414
File size:	901 KB

About the Author

William T. Ditewig is executive professor of theology at Santa Clara University, and he serves as director of faith formation, diaconate, and pastoral planning for the Diocese of Monterey. He is a deacon ordained for the Archdiocese of Washington as well as a retired Navy Commander. He is the author of many books on the diaconate, including The Deacon at Mass: A Theological and Pastoral Guide, Second Edition (Paulist, 2013), The Emerging Diaconate: Servant Leaders in a Servant Church (Paulist, 2007), and 101 Questions and Answers On Deacons (Paulist, 2004).

Table of Contents

Introduction: Deacons and the Diakonia of the Church 1

Part I Foundations for the Ministry of Charity 11

Chapter 1 The Church as Sacrament of God's Mercy 13

Chapter 2 God's Call and the Response of the People of God 20

Chapter 3 The Vocation of the Deacon and the Ministry of Charity and Justice 29

Chapter 4 The Deacon as Apostolic Leader in Diakonia 37

Part II The Mission of Mercy 49

Chapter 5 Pope Francis, Deacons, and the Gospel of Mercy 53

Chapter 6 The Deacon and the Rights of All 67

Chapter 7 "Moved with Compassion": Deacon at Work as Witness and Guide 82

Notes 99

Editorial Reviews

Deacon William Ditewig remains one of the most important voices writing on the diaconate today, and The Deacon's Ministry of Charity and Justice adds to his already remarkable body of work. Insightful, accessible and engaging, this new work should be required reading for anyone with a serious interest in the diaconate—from men in formation to deacons, pastors and bishops. Significantly, Deacon Ditewig's chapters on mercy and Pope Francis couldn't be more timely or valuable—reminding us of what we are called to be. Superb.
            Deacon Greg Kandra, Blogger and Journalist


In The Deacon’s Ministry of Charity and Justice, Deacon William Ditewig has made a helpful contribution to the understanding to the deacon’s role in the Church today with particular attention to the promptings of magisterial documents. Beginning with an historical and theological analysis of the ministry of service exercised by all the faithful, and indeed the Church herself, Deacon Ditewig strives to integrate the specific vocation of the deacon in the Church’s work of pastoral charity with particular emphasis on the ecclesial mission of mercy that Pope Francis has highlighted. It is a significant addition to the small but growing contemporary literature on the ancient vocation of the diaconate.
            His Eminence Donald Cardinal Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington

From the Publisher