“Deacons are ordained clergy,” he said, “and, together with priests and bishops, they complete what the Patristic Fathers refer to as the ‘fullness of the church hierarchy,’ or the fullness of holy orders. They are not ‘substitute priests,’ but neither are they ‘glorified altar boys.’ They are ordained ministers, sharing in the Sacrament of Holy Orders with bishops and priests, but they have their own unique vocation, which neither priest nor bishop can or should fulfill.”

The Diocese of Tyler is in the midst of an ordination fest with four diaconal ordinations scheduled for this Advent and Christmas Seasons.
Hat tip to the Deacon’s Bench, a new blog on the street.