Several days ago, Deacon Bill Ditewig published this essay in America magazine, calling for re-thinking the diaconate — beginning with eliminating the adjectives “transitional” and “permanent.” He offered a lot of challenging food for thought.
Now, Deacon Dom Cerrato has posted a dissenting view in the pages of Our Sunday Visitor:
Deacon Ditewig critiques the terms “transitional” and “permanent” commonly used to describe deacons. He argues that these labels are misleading and reductive, suggesting they create a division in the single Order of Deacons. Deacon Ditewig emphasizes that all deacons share the same sacramental grace imparted by ordination, regardless of whether they are eventually called to the priesthood or remain deacons permanently.
While Deacon Ditewig’s critique of the terminology is compelling and aligns with a more sacramental understanding of the diaconate, his characterization of the transitional diaconate as an “apprenticeship” also falls short of recognizing this order’s full theological and ontological significance. Describing the transitional diaconate in terms of apprenticeship focuses too heavily on the functional aspects of the role, viewing it merely as preparation or training for the priesthood.
By reducing the transitional diaconate to an apprenticeship, there is a failure to fully acknowledge this sacramental grace as a true participation in Christ’s servanthood. Such a reduction can lead to an undervaluation of the diaconate’s unique and essential contributions to the Church, including its roles in liturgy, preaching, and charity, which are not merely steps towards priesthood but are manifestations of the deacon’s real and permanent participation in the ministry of Christ.
Therefore, while I agree with Ditewig’s critique of the problematic terminology of “transitional” and “permanent,” it is also essential to challenge his characterization of the transitional diaconate as an apprenticeship, advocating instead for a deeper theological appreciation of the diaconate as a full and authentic expression of ordained ministry in its own right.
Properly understood, the transitional diaconate is not only a preparatory stage for the priesthood but also a profound sacramental expression of diakonia — “service” — which is essential to the priesthood. This period should imbue future priests with a deep-rooted understanding of service as a fundamental dimension of their ministry, aligning with Christ’s mission to serve.
Theologically, when seminarians are ordained as transitional deacons, they undergo an ontological change, configuring them to Christ the Servant. This configuration is not merely temporary; it permanently shapes their identity as ministers called to serve, fundamentally influencing how they will live out their priesthood.
