Will wonders never cease?? On Dec 15, 2009, the Vatican published a Motu Proprio from Pope Benedict, dated October 26, 2009. In it, the pope addresses two issues, the diaconate and a marriage issue. The first one is of interest here... Within the document, the pope modifies some articles of Canon Law (#1008 and 1009) regarding the diaconate.
Basically, the current code of canon law says that sacred orders (i.e. ordained deacons, priests & bishops) participate in the headship of Christ. Bendict clarifies that actually only priests and deacons participate in the headship of Christ "inpersonal Christi". Deacons serve the Church through ministry and service. The document says there is a clear distinction between the diaconate and the presbyterate (priesthood). The deacon acts "in imago Dei" and the priest acts "in persona Christi".
So, basically, the diaconate is a unique ministry unto itself and not simply a step along the way to priesthood. What this means is... potentially... the diaconate could now be openned up to women... Huh, go figure! So, it's sort of a "demotion" of the diaconate to the minor orders... but also an openning for women.
Back in the olden days, there were 4 minor orders (cantor was more of an office) and 2 major orders (subdiaconate doesn't really belong to either):
Porter - door keeper
Lector - reader
Exorcist - we know what that is!
Cantor - leader of song
Acolyte - altar server
Subdeacon
Deacon
Priest
Nowadays, women can be ushers (door keepers), lectors, cantors and acolytes... All of those minor orders have been replaced by ministrires that have been openned up to women... So, now we have deacons joining the ranks... potentially...
In another 100 years... who knows what will happen!
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