Saint Ignatius Weighs In
Let everyone reverence the deacons as an appointment of Jesus Christ; and the bishop as Jesus Christ, who is the Son of the Father; and the presbyters as the Sanhedrin of God and assembly of the apostles. Apart from these, there is no church.
- Ignatius (c. 105)
Saint Ignatius references the importance of full representation of the Major Orders of Clergy, in order for the Church to be fully realized and experienced. The Hierarch, the Priest, and the Deacon all have distinct roles, as even the three persons of the Holy Trinity have distinct roles, all intent on bring the experiences of God to the faithful, through His Church.
Imagine a V8 engine, when all 8 cylinders are functioning, the motor runs at its most optimal level – fulfilling its mission. In the same way, when all three Major Orders of Clergy are present and functioning, the Church functions at Its most optimal level — fulfilling Its mission to bring people to the experience of God.
Although all three Major Orders are present in the Church in America, I pose the question, ‘Are they functioning well?’ Do the bishops have the opportunity to function pastorally as teachers and shepherds with their local communities? Do the priests have the opportunity to intently focus their role, as described in the 390 AD patristic text, Apostolic Constitutions, “…the presbyter is only to teach, to offer, to baptize, and to bless the people.”? How many of you have seen a deacon at all, let alone on a regular basis?
Would the Christian Church have a greater link to Her tradition, history, and service to Her people, if institutionally, changes were made to bring back a full experience of the Major Orders of Clergy at the local level? What if… your bishop visited your parish frequently throughout the year? …your priest was able to focus on extending the Mysteries of the Church to the people? …and Deacons were present at the local parish?
Would this open the way for full representation of Christ’s Church in America? Without this, is there a Church?
What say you?
