by Fr Michael Router

Bishop Leo O’Reilly inaugruated the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Kilmore at a special gathering in the Diocesan Pastoral Centre on Sunday 29th November. The launch was attended by representatives from every Parish Pastoral Council in the diocese as well as the priests and representatives of the religious orders. Bishop Leo O’Reilly issued a pastoral letter to mark the occasion in which he outlines the history of the permanent diaconate, the nature of the deacon’s role, how their ministry will complement the many other forms of ministry already in operation in the church and what will be required of applicants in this diocese.

History of the Diaconate

Permanent deacons were very common in the early church. In the Acts of the Apostles (6:1-6) we read about the appointment of the first deacons. They were enlisted to help the apostles with the practical day to day running of the fledgling church and especially with works of charity. Over the centuries as the church grew stronger and the numbers of priests increased their role was taken over by the religious orders and the permanent diaconate gradually faded from the scene. However, the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s cleared the way for a revival of this important ministry.

This revival has happened gradually around the world over the past forty years. In Ireland the possibility of ordaining permanent deacons has become a reality in recent times and many dioceses are now ready to begin their programme of formation.

What Do Deacons Do?

So what are permanent deacons and what do they do? The diaconate has been understood as a distinct ministry of service in the church since the earliest days therefore a permanent deacon is primarily involved in works of charity and service, in visiting and supporting the sick, the bereaved and prisoners. They promote awareness of the social teaching of the church, work for justice and human rights, help provide an outreach to those who are hurt or alienated and facilitate the development of lay ministry in the parish. Deacons are also able to proclaim the gospel and preach the homily at Sunday Mass, assist at the altar, perform baptisms, preside at weddings and funeral services and be involved in the ongoing evangelization that is an essential element of parish life in modern Ireland.

Most deacons work in ordinary full-time jobs and they help the people and priests of the parish in their spare time. Those who wish to be deacons must be aged between 35 and 60 at the start of their programme of formation. Most candidates for the diaconate are married men with families, therefore it is important that a deacon’s wife fully supports the ministry and vocation of her husband.

It has to be acknowledged at present that large numbers of lay people, many of them women, are responsible for keeping the ministry and work of the church alive at local level. Permanent deacons when they come on stream must recognise this fact and do all that they can to serve and support lay ministers who are doing such good and vital work. The deacon must work as part of a team and acknowledge and respect the contribution of others from a position of equality. Deacons will be ordained to work alongside priests and lay ministers not to replace them.

Selection and Formation

The decision to become a deacon will not be an easy one especially if the candidate is married with children and working in a full-time job. In order to be accepted by the bishop they will have to go through a stringent selection process and complete a preparatory year that will consist of five weekends focusing on the vocation of the candidate and on their spiritual and human formation. If at the end of this year the candidate’s application is successful they will then undertake a three year period of study that will involve two weekends per month during the academic year. It will include the study of theology as well as continued pastoral, spiritual and human formation. The course will also include a residential summer school during the summer vacation of the second year. There will be evaluation by means of ongoing assessment and a comprehensive assessment at the conclusion of the formation period.

The preparatory year for candidates from this diocese will begin in September 2010. Anyone wishing to participate in this preparatory year should make an initial inquiry no later than June 2010. The first point of contact is your parish priest. Then after consultation with Fr. Gabriel Kelly, the Diocesan Director for the Permanent Diaconate, the application process will begin. Fr. Gabriel can be contacted by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at (048)66348250.

(Courtesy of the Anglo-Celt)

Fr Gearóid Dullea, National Director of the Permanent Diaconate, Mrs Maureen Evans, Bishop Leo O’Reilly, Fr Gabriel Kelly, Diocesan Director of the Permanent Diaconate, Rev Roger Evans, Deacon of the diocese of Southwark, at the inauguration of the Permanent Diaconate, Pastoral Centre, Cavan, 29 November 2009