Diaconaat

Diaconaat, also known as the diaconate, is the Christian ministry devoted to service, charity and the practical care of the community. The term derives from the Greek diakonos meaning servant or minister. In the early church, deacons assisted bishops and presbyters, cared for the poor and widows, and took part in liturgical duties such as the distribution of alms and, in some cases, the Eucharist.

Within the Catholic Church, diaconate is one of the three orders of Holy Orders, alongside priesthood and the episcopate. Deacons may be transitional (on the path to priesthood) or permanent. They proclaim the Gospel, preach, baptize, witness marriages, give blessings, administer the chalice, and assist during liturgy; they cannot celebrate Mass as the principal celebrant. After the Second Vatican Council, the permanent diaconate was restored in 1967, and formation programs typically last several years.

In many Protestant and Anglican traditions, the diaconate is an ordained or recognized ministry focused on service and mercy—charity, social outreach, pastoral care, and sometimes liturgical duties. The precise scope varies by denomination; some churches maintain a distinct order of deacons, others use the term diaconate for a broader ministry of service.

In Dutch-speaking contexts, diaconaat refers to the ministry of service and social care within churches, coordinated by deacons and diaconates (diaconiën) and supported through church charity work (diaconieën). The concept emphasizes mercy, justice, and tangible aid to those in need, both within the church and in society.