"Deacons and the Church presents a popular narrative history of the Order of the Diaconate in the Catholic Church from its dawn on the biblical scene in the Acts of the Apostles (with Saints Stephen and Philip), through the "golden age" of deacons in the fifth century. With the emergence of the "cultic priesthood," the diaconate as a unique and discrete member of the clergy declined into a transitional role - but never disappeared. Indeed, Dr. Cummings points out that the most popular saint (after Mary), Francis of Assisi, was a deacon - as were Saints Lawrence and Ephrem, all of whom are offered here as models of "Deacons for Deacons."" "The Second Vatican Council restored the Order of Deacon to a "full and permanent" membership in the clergy, along with priests and bishops. Now thirty thousand deacons serve the Church throughout the world and remain the fastest-growing clerical rank within the Latin Church. Deacon Cummings reflects on how this surge in the membership of the Order of Deacons will affect the Church in the years to come."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved