Articulating Hope
  • Home
  • Deacon Vernon's Blog
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Book Discussion Guide

Deacons--The Worst Experiment Of Vatican II

1/25/2016

6 Comments

 
Picture
The restoration of the permanent diaconate in the Catholic Church came into effect after Vatican II.  In 2017 we will mark the 50th anniversary of the order being restored.  Fifty years is not a long time in the life of the Church. Thus, it is not surprising to find that the Church still does not really know what to do with us.  I don't expect that confusion to end any time soon. The range of emotions about diaconal ministry is quite wide within the diaconate community itself, but especially outside the ranks from both the laity and presbyters alike.

​On June 9, 2011, Most Reverend Alexander K. Sample, Bishop of Marquette, (now Archbishop of Portland, Oregon) issued a Pastoral Letter entitled, 
The Deacon: Icon of Jesus Christ the Servant.  This 19-page letter gives a tremendous amount of material upon which to reflect for deacons, and indeed, all the priests and the faithful of the Church as well.

Bishop Sample expressed his sadness after the Pastoral Letter was promulgated that most media outlets focused their attention on one item in the 19-page letter.  Deacons should preach less frequently at the Eucharistic liturgy.  The comments that swirled around that specific component of the letter were all across the board.  Some celebrated that comment with gusto. Others were very much dismayed.  Overall, it reignited the broader question of what to do with the deacon in his ministry.

When Bishop Sample issued his letter in 2011, I followed many of the articles written about his letter.  I also read a good portion of the the comments made online following these articles.  It was fascinating to see some of the words of encouragement and support for deacons contrasted with the many negative comments about deacons as well.  The one that stuck in my mind most is what I captured in the title of this blog post.  "Permanent deacons are the worst experiment of Vatican II."  Can you feel the love?

Last week the clergy of our diocese gathered for a three-day institute centered upon discipleship.  Our speaker was Sherry Weddell, author of the book, Forming Intentional Disciples.  At one point after she had referred to the "clergy" a few times but only meant the priests and the bishop, she corrected herself and casually commented, "The Church doesn't know what to do with the deacons."  She verbalized what many of us already knew.  Will it take another fifty years to better grasp the role of the deacon?

Sherry Weddell said time and time again during her presentation that there was a need to "build bridges of trust" to help people in their spiritual seeking and conversion.  Each time I heard her repeat that phrase I was grateful for the many ways that I see deacons fulfill that role.  We aren't priests, but we are ordained for a life of service that effectively builds bridges.  We are instruments of God's love leading people to conversion.  That doesn't seem like a bad "experiment".

Years ago a religious sister was visiting with my pastor.  I was standing nearby and heard her make a negative comment about deacons.  My pastor asked her, "How could you make such a comment when my deacon is standing right there?"  She said, "I like him as a person, but his role as a deacon is irrelevant."  In my nearly 17 years since ordination as a deacon I have become accustomed to such comments.  There has never been a doubt as to where the deacon falls on the hierarchical structure of the Church, or as to how we are viewed by some of the priests, religious, and laity. That is okay. I simply strive to live out my calling as best as I am able utilizing the gifts and charisms that have been entrusted to my care for the building up of the Kingdom of God.

We are preparing to begin another formation class of deacons in the Diocese of Cheyenne.  If all goes as planned we will have a diaconate ordination in the year 2021.  Quite a number of current deacons will be moving into the retirement years by then.  My prayer is that men discerning a call to the diaconate will be guided by the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit in their prayerful reflection. 

There have been many discussions and plans established for the formation of this next group.  Information sessions have been planned and will begin to take place all across the diocese starting this Saturday.  We will continue to learn and grow in our diaconal ministry.  I was appointed to the diaconate formation board last year by the bishop, and I will have the privilege of walking with these men (and their wives) for the next five years of their lives as they go through the inquiry phase, aspirancy, and candidacy for Holy Orders. 

The role of the deacon has been front and center in my mind during recent months because of all of these preparations.  (The policy manual for the already ordained deacons has been revamped and updated as well.)  I hope and pray that I fulfill the responsibilities of my own calling with faithfulness, fervor, and zeal.  I know there are times when I fail to love as Jesus did, but overall, it is my intent to be a beacon of Christ's light in a world sometimes enveloped in darkness.  Otherwise, I guess I am just part of the "worst experiment of Vatican II."




6 Comments
Ruth
1/25/2016 12:14:37 pm

You are definitely a beacon of hope for so many. Please keep up your wonderful work... God Bless

Reply
Deacon Vernon
1/25/2016 12:41:22 pm

Thanks Ruth.

Reply
Walt Biri
1/25/2016 12:19:35 pm

Thank you for sharing this. I think all of we deacons feel this pain, but we knew that it isn't easy doing Gods work. If it's glory your looking for, don't come down this path. A deacon in true ministry is a bridge between the people and the church. That bridge gets walked on too.

Reply
Deacon Vernon
1/25/2016 12:42:58 pm

Thanks Deacon Walt. God bless you in your ministry.

Reply
KJA
1/25/2016 02:32:56 pm

No. We are living through MANY much worse experiments from VII than the permanent diaconate. It is a sad thing that good men are not given by the Church the appropriate mission and respect an office such as the diaconate deserves.

Reply
Deacon Vernon
1/25/2016 03:10:42 pm

Thanks for your comment, Ken.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013

    Author

    This is my personal blog.  The opinions expressed are those of Deacon Vernon and the blog's readers.  This site operates independently and is not affiliated with any other entity. The information I provide is on an "as-is" basis. I make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any information on this blog. I will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information. Furthermore, I will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its use.

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.