Answering questions about the Permanent Deacon

This past weekend the Archdiocese of New Orleans opened an inquiry period for men who may be feeling a call to serve the Church in ordained ministry. We were blessed to have 56 married men, with their wives and 4 single men in attendance. Supporting the day's events were many Permanent Deacons, including yours truly and the men and wives of our 2010 class (scheduled to be ordained in December) and 2012 class.

After a meaningful and thorough presentation that lasted several hours, with plenty of time for breaks and refreshment, the floor was opened for questions. Now please understand from the outset that I'm sharing some of this as a teachable moment. In no way do I find the questions silly or stupid but it does point out that the emerging permanent diaconate still has a way to go.

One of the questions dealt with compensation. This is a great question. I often hear from good Catholics that they are curious about how much the good Deacon makes. I'll say this; the fringe benefits; eternal in nature, are great but the pay is, well, non-existent. As a rule of thumb, Deacons are not paid. True, some will take jobs at a parish or diocese level that is paying. This should be viewed no differently from the thousands of deacons that work as firemen, business owners, policemen, sales managers and in my case, a banker. And besides, for the Permanent Deacon, it's never about what we do but who we are.

Another question was about being assigned ministry. As is often the case, many come to inquiry assuming the process will result in an assignment back home in the parish. Not necessarily so. Deacons are directly reportable to the Bishop. He assigns the Deacon. The overall needs of the diocese determine a parish assignment. This led to another question about having to relocate, etc. Quickly this was addressed. In our diocese, and I imagine most others, a Deacon would not be assigned so far away geographically that he would face selling a home, changing a job or encountering any other financial hardship. And one more word on assignments: Deacons are usually assigned a ministry of charity which is the true charism of the Deacon. Mine is prison ministry. Others serve in hospitals, hospice, nursing homes, food banks, etc. This is where the Deacon should be focused and this service leads in a holy way to the sacramental sign where most Catholics see the Deacon; on the altar and perhaps preaching a homily.

One of the most interesting questions concerned single men, as asked by a single man inquiring. Statistics show that the vast majority of Permanent Deacons in the USA are married. Most single Deacons are widowers. While not a deterrent to applying to the diaconate and perhaps being ordained, the inquirer may need to pray and discern a calling to the Priesthood if they are fulfilling a single, celibate vocation already.

I thoroughly enjoy fielding questions about the Permanent Diaconate. It is a ministry that the Apostles themselves knew was needed for the Church to truly exemplify Christ the Servant. I so look forward to following the inquirers over the monts ahead and ask all reading this post to pray for them and all who are seeking God's will in their lives.