Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese REPORT
19
Apr 2012
Permanent deacons have also increased
worldwide
Deacons play an important part in the life of the Church
but despite the tradition of deacons dating back many centuries, today’s
parishioners remain confused or ignorant of the duties and responsibilities of a
deacon, and their contribution to parish life.
“People frequently
misunderstand the role of a deacon while others are not aware deacons, who are
usually married with families, are even part of the Catholic Church,” says
Bernard Toutounji, Executive Officer of the Archdiocese of Sydney’s Permanent
Diaconate.
However Bernard and the Archdiocese are determined to change this
and on Saturday, 12 May will host an information afternoon at the Seminary of
the Good Shepherd, Homebush on the vocation, formation and role of a
Deacon.
“We are inviting all those interested in finding out more about the
Archdiocese’s Permanent Diaconate and those who are considering a possible
vocation as a deacon,” says Bernard, emphasising that the invitation is not only
for men but their wives as well.
“As most Deacons are married with families
of their own, the decision to pursue a vocation with the Diaconate affects the
entire family and a wife’s support is all important, he says.
Deacon Paul Naggar
whose wife Julianne is
on the Diaconate
Advisory Committee
A Deacon-in-training
needs the encouragement, understanding and full-hearted support of his wife as
well as the rest of the family while undergoing the four year period of
formation and discernment, Bernard explains, as well as during the years after
his ordination when he is called on to serve a parish or ministry.
“A wife is
the backbone and if she isn’t okay with her husband answering the call, then we
would not proceed.”
Such is the importance the Archdiocese plays on a wife’s
support, not only are they encouraged to come along with their husbands to
formation but the Archdiocese Diaconate Advisory Committee who will decide on
this year’s candidates includes two women. One is Sister Isabell Naumann ISSM
STD and the other is Mrs Julianne Naggar of Liverpool, NSW. Mrs Naggar is
married to Deacon Paul Naggar from the Archdiocese and has long experience as
the wife of a Deacon and what this means.
“Unlike priests, a permanent deacon
maintains his professional as well as his family life while serving the Church,”
Bernard says and believes this is one of the reasons for the frequent confusion
over a deacon’s role in a parish or allocated ministry.
Another reason for
ignorance about a deacons’ role, could be put down to numbers. Currently there
are just 35,000 deacons worldwide compared with almost half a million priests.
Although deacons have been ordained and served the Church since the second
and third century, in the west the numbers of permanent deacons gradually
declined, and deacons became associated primarily with seminarians who were
ordained and worked as deacons during the last year or two before their
ordination as priests.
But after the Second Vatican Council called for a
reinstatement and revitalisation of the tradition, numbers have begun to
increase.
Two years ago, the Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell
re-established the Archdiocese’s Permanent Diaconate and appointed Bishop Julian
Porteous, Episcopal Vicar of Evangelisation and Renewal as Director and Bernard
Toutounji as Executive Officer.
Curremt Diaconate Aspirants and Wives from left
to right,
Sue and John Kelly, Kayshinee and Aruna Perera,
Fr Danny
Meagher Director of Formation, Eddie
and Anne Ho, Rita and Mervyn
Francis
At the time, the Archdiocese had five hard-working, dedicated
and permanent deacons, all of whom had been ordained in the 1990s. But since the
Permanent Diaconate was re-established, there have been an increased interest
and a growing number of applications from men of faith to become candidates for
holy order of Deacons.
Currently four men – all married – are in formation
and set to be ordained as deacons in 2013-14. A further three are currently
undertaking preliminary studies at the Catholic Institute of Sydney at
Strathfield.
Pope Benedict XVI explains that the word deacon literally means
“servant” and that the original role of a deacon was to serve the poor. But in
modern times, he says deacons serve a new poverty which is describes as a
“spiritual and cultural poverty.”
Some of a deacon’s duties are similar to
those of a parish priest. He is an official minister in the liturgy and is
entitled to carry out baptisms, celebrate marriages and officiate at funerals.
However a deacon is not permitted to celebrate Mass, nor is he permitted to hear
Confessions.
“A deacon is one who brings the face of Christ in a unique way
into his work, family and recreational life and can be an important link for
people into the life of the Church,” Bernard says.
To find out more about the
information afternoon to be held at the Seminary of the Good Shepherd on 12 May
log on to
www.sydneydiaconate.org.au
. You
can also email the Office of the Permanent Diaconate at
diaconate@sydneycatholic.org
or
call 02 9390 5941.