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
-
But talking about identity has ever-shifting rules and hierarchies that amount to bear-traps that can spring at any time.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Would another defeat at Spurs change the hierarchy’s view on his position?—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Other clergy arrange haircuts and grocery deliveries to help meet people’s basic needs.—
Anna Moeslein,
Glamour,
7 Feb. 2026
-
This gave clergy and religious people a way to pray for the new archbishop and the diocese.—
Alexa Herrera,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Diaconate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diaconate. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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