I think you’re right that the practicals you mention are the reasons most permanent deacons are older with no children at home. But I know of some exceptions and I don’t believe it’s a rule!
We have a man in diaconate formation in my parish who has a young family (the oldest of his 3 children is probably 12ish). And he's a full-time orthodontist. But, he's not the norm for candidates.
I know of one who had a young child, although she's older now. You'd expect that sort of thing to happen occasionally even with deacons in their 50s who are not continent and who abide by Church teaching regarding openness to children. Late pregnancies happen.
Oh, I didn't think you sounded critical at all! I was actually just thinking that while part of the motive for continent deacons was the high regard the Church placed on it, part of it could easily also have been that that is the only moral way to ensure you have no more children, even once you're older. The population skew makes good practical sense for most people.
I think you’re right that the practicals you mention are the reasons most permanent deacons are older with no children at home. But I know of some exceptions and I don’t believe it’s a rule!
We have a man in diaconate formation in my parish who has a young family (the oldest of his 3 children is probably 12ish). And he's a full-time orthodontist. But, he's not the norm for candidates.
I know of one who had a young child, although she's older now. You'd expect that sort of thing to happen occasionally even with deacons in their 50s who are not continent and who abide by Church teaching regarding openness to children. Late pregnancies happen.
Oh, I didn't think you sounded critical at all! I was actually just thinking that while part of the motive for continent deacons was the high regard the Church placed on it, part of it could easily also have been that that is the only moral way to ensure you have no more children, even once you're older. The population skew makes good practical sense for most people.