Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 12/4/2007

Question
QUESTION: Is there still such an office as a sub-deacon? I thought that was abolished? I've read that a sub-deacon officiates with a deacon at a Pontifical Mass.
Also, can an adult lay person be officially made an Acolite?



ANSWER: Hi, Jim:
Thanks for the questions.
The Subdiaconate was officially abolished for the Latin Rite Church by Paul VI in the Apostolic Letter "Ministeria Quaedam"; however, with the newest Motu Proprio "Summorum Pontificum" of Pope Benedict XVI authorizing the ancient usage of the Tridentine Rite as the "Extraordinary" form of the Mass, the question has been opened up again.  I suspect that Pope Benedict XVI will no doubt official "restore" the Subdiaconate for the whole Latin Church in some future document.  If you look at the first issue of the IGMR 1970, the office of subdeacon was accounted in it.  It was removed only in 1973 after the issuance of "Ministeria Quaedam."
In fact, I would not doubt if Pope Benedict XVI or his successor will be issuing a completely new and revised Code of Canon Law for the Latin Church that will take into account many things being work on right now in the Latin Church, including the expansion of reasons for annulments based upon the "lack of faith" of those who were married in a Catholic Church ceremony, but had no faith or appreciation of marriage as a Sacrament.
Any adult MALE layperson may be instituted into the ministry of Acolyte on a permanent basis, according to "Ministeria Quaedam."  Hopefully one of the effects of recent sweeping reforms will be the restoration of the "minor orders" among seminarians and male religious.  these would include: Porter, Lector, Exorcist, Acolyte, and probably Subdeacon, which will be counted as the "highest" minor order, as opposed to be counted as the "lowest" Major Order.  In addition, I would not be surprised if minor orders of "cantor" and "catechist" are instituted among seminarians and male religious, as well.

Fr. Timothy Johnson

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you Father, for your answer. However it brings up the question of wether a lay male could be made an Acolyte. I don't want to be a 50 year old alter boy, and I don't think I could be a perminent deacon, but I'd like to serve on the aler.
Thank you for your time and responce.

Answer
Hi, again, Jim:
Yes.  The whole idea is that those men instituted in the Ministry of Acolyte ARE laymen.  A man is not a part of the CLERGY until he is ordained a Deacon.
You would have to take up the particulars of your situation with your local Pastor, and ask him whether he would work with you for making a petition to the Local Ordinary (Bishop) to allow you to be instituted in the Ministry of Acolyte.
In some sense, according to present liturgical and Canon Law, you would be very much like a "Subdeacon."  The very document "Ministeria Quaedam" itself makes mention of the fact that a man installed in the permanent Ministry of Acolyte can be called a Subdeacon, in some place or other.
I can understand how you feel about not wanting to be counted among the Altar Boys at age 50.  Hopefully something could be done to help put you into a special status as one specially set apart as an adult to serve at the Altar and help the Priest.
You might look into the possibility of studying for the permanent Diaconate; but then, of course, you would have duties and functions to perform that would go well beyond service at the Altar.
Thanks for your questions.  Have a great Advent season!

Fr. Timothy Johnson