as in episcopate
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Recent Examples of diaconate
The diaconate represents the Church’s third degree of holy orders, below the presbyterate, or priests, and episcopate, or bishops.
—
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 5 Dec. 2025
Two commissions studying the question of women in the diaconate, keeping discernment alive even without doctrinal change.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
During the liturgical celebration, seminarian William O’Donnell, 25, will be ordained to the transitional diaconate.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025
As the cardinals of the Catholic Church go into conclave to elect the next pope, many of them are reading a dossier that lists the statements their brother cardinals have made on climate change, allowing women into the diaconate, and the status of the Latin Mass.
—Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 7 May 2025
Despite two papal commissions studying the diaconate question—first in 2016 and again in 2020—neither produced definitive recommendations.
—Gemma Allen, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
He was ordained to the diaconate in 1971 and to the priesthood in 1972.
—Bryan Marquard, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Sep. 2023
The role of female deacons likely ended in the 12th Century when the diaconate became a steppingstone to the priesthood, Stanton said.
—Susan Degrane, chicagotribune.com, 30 Mar. 2022
Brignac pleaded to be let into the diaconate.
—David A. Hammer, NOLA.com, 16 Dec. 2020
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 5 Dec. 2025
Two commissions studying the question of women in the diaconate, keeping discernment alive even without doctrinal change.
—Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
During the liturgical celebration, seminarian William O’Donnell, 25, will be ordained to the transitional diaconate.
—Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025
As the cardinals of the Catholic Church go into conclave to elect the next pope, many of them are reading a dossier that lists the statements their brother cardinals have made on climate change, allowing women into the diaconate, and the status of the Latin Mass.
—Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 7 May 2025
Despite two papal commissions studying the diaconate question—first in 2016 and again in 2020—neither produced definitive recommendations.
—Gemma Allen, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
He was ordained to the diaconate in 1971 and to the priesthood in 1972.
—Bryan Marquard, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Sep. 2023
The role of female deacons likely ended in the 12th Century when the diaconate became a steppingstone to the priesthood, Stanton said.
—Susan Degrane, chicagotribune.com, 30 Mar. 2022
Brignac pleaded to be let into the diaconate.
—David A. Hammer, NOLA.com, 16 Dec. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diaconate
Noun
-
The diaconate represents the Church’s third degree of holy orders, below the presbyterate, or priests, and episcopate, or bishops.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
5 Dec. 2025
-
Vatican observers have long speculated that Francis saw Prevost as a potential successor, especially given his rapid rise and central role in shaping the modern episcopate.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
Casa Carolina Hotel What was originally the presbytery of the Santa Catalina de Alejandría Cathedral is now one of Cartagena's newest boutique hotels, Casa Carolina.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Jan. 2026
-
Inside Brixworth Church The choir, or presbytery—the heart of the church—is separated from the nave by a large arch.—
David Nikel,
Forbes,
29 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The hierarchy clearly wanted to give Frank time and avoid a knee-jerk reaction to a difficult spell.—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The most powerful enemy of all is the capitalist system of landownership and social hierarchy that kept these two freaks apart.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
They were seen by the clergy, for example, to be distracted by chocolate, drinking it and gossiping instead of paying attention to mass.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Attempt to add clergy fails Earlier Wednesday, the House Judiciary Committee voted 8-3 to defeat a bill that would have added clergy to the list of mandatory reporters.—
Seth Tupper & John Hult,
States Newsroom,
12 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Diaconate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diaconate. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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