Permanent Deacons

Last night I was invited to give a two hour lecture to those preparing for the permanent diaconate in the Archdiocese of Panama. Permanent deacons make up an important part of the life of the diocese. These are all married men who have felt the call to serve as ministers in the church. It is a huge commitment - in fact, something that is often overlooked is that these men really undertake two full-time vocations: that of being a husband and father, and that of being a deacon. It really makes me think about what it means to have a workload. These men, as well as rearing their families and ministering as deacons are (most of them, anyway) holding down full time jobs. It's probably important to mention that the deacons are not paid for their ministry (priests are!!!).

In the context of a local church where parishes can have anything between 50 and 100,000 inhabitants and only one priest, if there is even one for the parish, it is not unusual to hear of priests suffering from burn out. One can only imagine how long they would last if, as well as their pastoral duties, they would have to care for a family and hold down some sort of employment.

Some are teachers or office workers but, really, there are all sorts who present themselves to be trained as deacons - firemen, mechanics, shopkeepers, taxi men etc. They are also of all ages although most of the men are probably over 50 (still a lot younger than most priests in Ireland). In the group that I met last night there were 24 who were studying for the diaconate; there were also two religious sisters and one lay woman, all of whom are involved in catechetical work and are taking advantage of the formation being offered to the deacons.

We began at 6pm and went until just after 8pm - these people had come directly from work; some of them would not be home for another 1 1/2 hours after the lecture ended. Then they would have to get something to eat, take care of whatever needs to be taken care of at home, and try to get to bed in time to get some rest before rising at between 4am and 5am the following morning - it is an enormous commitment. Fr. Santiago, who normally takes the class (he is the Rector of the seminary - a very fine man and very hard working) told me that while some might miss a class from time to time, there is generally a full compliment - they take this very seriously.

I was talking about the whole question of Vocation - what it means, how we can understand it, its role in the life of the church, and that sort of thing. We had a very lively discussion during the lecture and I have to say that I really enjoyed it.

Most dioceses in Ireland don't have permanent deacons. Dublin introduced them relatively recently but, in Dublin at least, it was as a response to dwindling numbers of priests. Here, while the low numbers of priests is a very real issue, there is also an experience that has taught the diocese that the deacons offer a style of ministry and a world of experience that priests can't.

Most of the permanent deacons preside at Sunday services in the absence of a priest; they bury the dead, batptise those who are to be baptised, witness marriages, and, probably most importantly, accompany the people of their parish by leading services to mark all sorts of community, family, and individual milestones. Of course, quite apart from the liturgical end of things, the deacons are very busy with social projects, catechesis, training of parish ministers, visiting the sick, and generally doing their best to bring the values of the kingdom to the people they are serving.

Tonight I will be spending some time with a group of people who work (voluntarily) as catechists in the diocese.