We’re blessed with the ministry of about 30 active permanent deacons in our Diocese. ("Permanent deacons" are men who stay as deacons - as distinct from priests-in-training who pass through the stage of the diaconate on their way to full priesthood.) They have a wide variety of roles depending upon their individual personal and parish circumstances. How have they come to be ordained?

Our current understanding of the diaconate derives from the Second Vatican Council which teaches:
• the whole world is taken up in what happens at the altar; and
• the sacrifice of the altar is celebrated for the whole world. 

We need a greater presence of sacred ministers in the family, work and schools as well as in various church structures. Deacons provide that vital link.

Men considering the diaconate have usually been very involved in parish and local community life for many years. The idea of diaconal service often first occurred years ago, and it’s only when several people ask whether he’s considered it that an applicant takes it further. This might be at a particular point when he has an opportunity to review his life and commitments.


Selection process

There’s a selection process to help the discernment of vocation. It begins with prayer and conversations with your wife, if you are married, and your parish priest. You’ll certainly need their active support and encouragement! Your parish priest contacts our Director for the Diaconate, Fr Francis Higgins, to arrange for him to meet you; for you to meet some deacons active in your area; and to provide further information.

There are some general selection principles:
• All prospective candidates must have the support of their parish priest.
• Generally, men over 60 years of age are not suitable for the selection process, since active ministry ceases at 75.
• There should be some idea of the form your diaconal ministry might take whether at your parish, Pastoral Area, and/or Diocesan level or elsewhere.
For example, if your parish already has several relatively young deacons, it would be good to have some idea of what distinctive and supplementary ministry might be envisaged, but circumstances change: nothing’s set in stone!

Selection needs forms completing, including an essay on your vocational journey, and references and a psychological assessment to be obtained. Your wife must give formal consent to formation for the diaconate because your vocation to marriage always takes priority. (A separate consent is required before ordination, but that’s still at least 3 years away!) There’s a selection conference when you’ll be interviewed by Fr Francis, an experienced parish priest, an active deacon and a married lady. They make a recommendation about your suitability for formation to Bishop Peter who meets you and decides whether or not to accept you for formation.


Formation and Discernment

We currently have 5 men in formation: some are in full-time employment while others are self-employed or work part-time. They have a wide range of professional skills and formal education. A degree in anything, let alone theology, is not needed! What is necessary is openness to change and growth: we’ve been very impressed by the calm assurance of applicants that they’ll cope with the study if this is the right path.

At each stage of selection, only applicants likely to be accepted for formation are encouraged to proceed. Similarly throughout formation – the discernment of vocation is a continuing process achieved through mature reflection and prayer within a supportive community. There are annual occasions to reflect upon progress towards ordination and to discern whether or not this is still the right path. Please pray for those who have a vocation to the diaconate and be encouraging to men who might respond. Yours might be the voice through which he will hear God’s call!



Joanna Hale
on behalf of the Selection Committee  - June 2008, updated Sept 2009