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Karl Rahner’s Theology of the Diaconate: A Reappraisal

  • Hilmar M. Pabel
Published/Copyright: May 11, 2024

Abstract

Both before and after the Second Vatican Council, Karl Rahner promoted the restoration of the diaconate as a permanent order in the Catholic church. His theology of the diaconate has eluded sustained attention. After providing the historical context for his contribution, this reappraisal, in a close reading of Rahner, elaborates on three essential ecclesiological themes: the church’s exercise of its divine right to establish a discrete diaconate by dividing office, the graced nature of diaconal office, and the specialized function of deacons in the formation of ecclesial community.


1 For their editorial assistance I wish to thank the editors of this journal, Professor Christopher Steck, SJ, and especially Professor Richard Lennan, whose invaluable encouragement prompted me to offer this study for publication


Published Online: 2024-05-11
Published in Print: 2024-05-27

© 2024 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston, Germany

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