In an address to deacons and their families in Rome on June 19, Pope Francis\u2019 first point of emphasis was the distinction of the diaconate from the priesthood — that deacons are ordained \u201cnot unto the priesthood, but unto a ministry of service.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis difference is not insignificant,\u201d he said. \u201cThe mere fact of emphasizing this difference helps to overcome the scourge of clericalism.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pope Francis then said the diaconate “leads us to the center of the mystery of the Church.” Just as the Church must be\u00a0missionary<\/em>\u00a0y\u00a0synodal<\/em>, he said, it must also be\u00a0diaconales<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cDeacons remind the Church that what Saint Theresa discovered is true: the Church has a heart enflamed by love. Yes, a humble heart throbbing with service. Deacons remind us of this when, like the deacon Saint Francis, they bring God\u2019s closeness to others without imposing themselves, serving with humility and joy.\u201d<\/p>\n