National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent ...

CHAPTER ONEDOCTRINAL UNDERSTANDINGOF THE DIACONATEI. Introduction19. This Directory offers some theological points of referencebased upon relevant magisterial teaching. As the Congregation forCatholic Education explains, “The almost total disappearance of thepermanent diaconate from the Church of the West for more than amillennium has certainly made it more difficult to understand theprofound reality of this ministry. However, it cannot be said for thatreason that the theology of the diaconate has no authoritativepoints of reference. . . [T]hey are very clear, even if they need to bedeveloped and deepened.” 1Theological pointsof referenceII. The Sacramental Nature of the Church20. The Second Vatican Council spoke of the Church as “mystery,”“sacrament,” “communion,” and “mission”: 2 “The Church is inChrist like a sacrament or as a sign and instrument both of a veryclosely knit union with God and of the unity of the whole humanrace.” 3 The Church is the People of God, the Body of Christ, and theTemple of the Holy Spirit. 4 It is “the community of faith, hope andcharity” as well as “an entity with visible delineation.” 5 “But, thesociety [formed] with hierarchical [structures] and the MysticalBody of Christ . . .[is] not to be considered as two realities, nor arethe visible assembly and the spiritual community, nor the earthlyChurch and the Church enriched with heavenly things; rather theyform one complex reality, which coalesces from a divine and ahuman element.” 621. Jesus Christ, through his ministry, life, death, and resurrection,established in human society and history a new and distinct reality,a community of men and women, through whom “He communicatedtruth and grace to all.” 7 Through the Church, the Good News ofJesus Christ continues to be told and applied to the changing circumstancesand challenges of human life. As Christians live theirChurch: Onecomplex realityChurch ascommunionand mission