As a recently ordained permanent deacon (January 13, 2024) I liked the discussion and what amounts to, in my judgment, a brand new idea of the diaconate, at least here in the U.S. Given that deacons are not paid, I wonder how practical it is to ask a young man to devote himself to the Church without recompense? I would also suggest that …
As a recently ordained permanent deacon (January 13, 2024) I liked the discussion and what amounts to, in my judgment, a brand new idea of the diaconate, at least here in the U.S. Given that deacons are not paid, I wonder how practical it is to ask a young man to devote himself to the Church without recompense? I would also suggest that seminaries may be part of the problem. Many of my priest friends tell me they were told at seminary that deacons are just an added problem to deal with.
I do take issue with Ed and J.D.'s description of the current U.S. diaconate as just a bunch of old guys who either didn't/couldn't make it as a priest or as just an old man's club. While I understand those people exist, that is not my experience of the diaconate. After spending 5 years with the 8 other men in my class, and getting to know them and their wives, my experience is a group of men and women who deeply love the Church, wish to serve the Church, and (for the men) are awed and humbled by the Grace of ordination.
1. There is nothing that stands in the ways of deacons being paid. In fact, you have as much right to remuneration for your ministry as does the priest, even if many dioceses don't honor that right in the breech.
2. I think our point was that this is often how the diaconate is perceived and framed, not that it is a singular description of it. There are many, many deacons for whom that isn't true. One question is whether we have enough vision to make good and real use of them!
As a recently ordained permanent deacon (January 13, 2024) I liked the discussion and what amounts to, in my judgment, a brand new idea of the diaconate, at least here in the U.S. Given that deacons are not paid, I wonder how practical it is to ask a young man to devote himself to the Church without recompense? I would also suggest that seminaries may be part of the problem. Many of my priest friends tell me they were told at seminary that deacons are just an added problem to deal with.
I do take issue with Ed and J.D.'s description of the current U.S. diaconate as just a bunch of old guys who either didn't/couldn't make it as a priest or as just an old man's club. While I understand those people exist, that is not my experience of the diaconate. After spending 5 years with the 8 other men in my class, and getting to know them and their wives, my experience is a group of men and women who deeply love the Church, wish to serve the Church, and (for the men) are awed and humbled by the Grace of ordination.
Thanks Deacon. Two things:
1. There is nothing that stands in the ways of deacons being paid. In fact, you have as much right to remuneration for your ministry as does the priest, even if many dioceses don't honor that right in the breech.
2. I think our point was that this is often how the diaconate is perceived and framed, not that it is a singular description of it. There are many, many deacons for whom that isn't true. One question is whether we have enough vision to make good and real use of them!