Due to the ongoing decline in vocations with fewer people being ordained for the priesthood the Diocese of Waterford and Lismore, are seeking the help of lay people to carry out certain Ministries. The Bishop of Waterford and Lismore Dr William Lee is proposing to introduce the Permanent Diaconate in the diocese with the first candidates commencing training this September.
This will be an ordained ministry, open to men between the ages of 25 and 60 (for single men) and 35 and 60 (for married men).
The training consists of a preparatory year, followed by three years’ academic, spiritual, pastoral and human formation.
Those who are ordained as deacons will preside at baptisms, weddings, funerals and other public prayer occasions.
They will preach homilies, assist at Mass and be involved in many pastoral works and in Christian education.
They will also be given a special role in the area of social justice and works of charity.
When ordained, they will be assigned for service to a parish or group of parishes, and to diocesan responsibilities.
The ordination of deacons will see the restoration of a significant ministry which was a feature of Church life in the first five centuries, and which has been revived in many countries over the past thirty years.
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