Permanent Deacons - Opinions?

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Perhaps because this isn’t evangelizing, but political advocacy? You are asserting non-doctrinal and certainly matters not essential to Catholic belief as fact. But one can be a good Catholic and a political progressive (or conservative). I don’t think it’s the place of the clergy to “preach” about secular politics. I know many priests–and religious and lay Catholics–who would strongly disagree with your assertion about “most compatible.” You are there to minister and serve–not to be political. [Climbing off my soapbox.]
 
I said evangelize and articulate the reasons why, not evangelize by political activism. I am simply rebutting the either/or thing put forth. Either evangelize or engage in Facebook warrioring, that is. You can evangelize in a fully non-political way while also caring about the direction the country is heading, bringing that up in separate but appropriate situations. I would argue that the vast majority of Catholics feel completely empowered to call out the current administration whenever they see fit (and they should) but when someone advocates for Trump they’re often dissuaded from doing so further by a wave of anti-politicking anger.

And I reject the suggestion that advocating for good public policy that directly impacts how many children will be murdered is unrelated to service or ministry.
 
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Perhaps I am spoiled or deprived in my parish, but our clergy take care of spiritual matters, and they concern themselves with spiritual things when it comes to the good of the flock. They preach about God’s love, good morals, penitential disciplines, works of charity, good stewardship, and all aspects of being a good Christian in the world. They don’t get hung up on political candidates, ballot issues, current events, conservative vs. liberal, trad vs. Vatican II.

And in my parish, the clergy sets the tone for the whole diocese, because this is where we train seminarians and form newly-ordained priests for a lifetime of service. If you’re grappling with a political issue or social justice, Father is happy to discuss it in the confessional or in his office hours. Deacon is grateful for such questions in RCIA session and we tackle those head-on, because everyone asks similar questions. But to be yammering on and on from the pulpit about “conservative values” and how they relate best to the Church… just not good PR.
 
Our new priest was confronted after Mass the other week. He had made a comment in his homily that had modern political ramifications without intending them. I discussed the situation later with him, and what he said spoke volumes about his ministry. He said “it’s not my job to argue with people”.

And how true that is. Yes, a priest finds himself in arguments eventually, but his calling is for the salvation of souls, not to argue about who’s right. I think if you’d asked him what his job was at that point, he would have said his job is to listen. Sometimes the best way to win hearts and minds (and change your own) is to listen and understand.
 
27lw said:
There’s another reason to dislike deacons - - if one doesn’t like the giving out of the cup (and attendant accidental spilling, etc).
I’m afraid I have been formed by a very “old-school” priest who did not use the chalice, and was very pre-conciliar in style.
I suspect I am not the only one.
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That is not a reason to dislike deacons. At most, it indicates a dislike of Communion under both species. No one is forcing you to receive from the Cup. The diaconate is about far, far more than ministering the Cup at Mass. The rubric for Communion under both species came from Rome; it’s not something invented to be make-work for deacons, nor are deacons responsible for the introduction of that practice.
 
It will depend on which diocese you are in along with the content of the message you are trying to get across. I am in New England which tends to be more secular/worldly. However we have had many Deacons engaging in discussions regarding abortion and assisted suicide In an attempt to form public policy. They received support from the Bishop.
Conversely we have also had Deacons preach on hot button topics from the pulpit who were rebuked. It wasn’t necessarily the topic, it was more that the content was not appropriate for a homily.
As I said though it will depend on diocese and content. This would be something good for you to discuss with a priest you respect as you discern this vocation. I wouldn’t let this be a hindrance to you starting on this path. There is plenty of room for all types of Deacons in our Holy Church.
 
You’re the best, man. Very encouraging. For what its worth, I’m primarily interested in being allowed to continue supporting conservative causes in my personal life, not from arguing with anyone in a church setting. I was mostly concerned about whether or not that’s regulated. As a military veteran I’m sort of accustomed to having a limited sense of free speech honestly.
 
But the point is that good Catholics can disagree about what “good public policy” is. In fact, the public sphere is actually the domain of the laity. I do not go to church to be lectured about politics–even if the lecture actually reinforces my own beliefs. It would be as problematic as if I went into my (university level) political science and history classes and lectured my students on religion–or even on what “the right” public policies (according to my personal political convictions) might be.
 
Some things aren’t debatable, most notably whether or not its alright to kill kids. It isn’t. Nor is it rational for a church body that idealizes poverty to equate economic inequality in the most prosperous country in the history of the world with killing children. Its insane. Its a complete discarding of traditional logic and acceptance of the symbolic logic forced upon us by the woke mob. And its painful to watch.
 
It would be one thing for a Deacon to give a political homily…i.e. lecturing at church about politics…and get reprimanded for it. Not many people like political homilies, including me. I’ve changed parishes before in part to avoid those political homilies even when I agree. It would be an altogether different thing for a Deacon to write an opinion piece tackling a tough political or church subject in addition to their ministry and get in some type of trouble for it. I think…the question is more about this type of thing than giving political homilies.
 
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One more thought about Deacons. I converted to Catholicism as an adult. From this perspective (a convert’s point of view), I see the diaconate as a very valuable and utterly unique thing. It is the concept of their priorities being God, Family, Job, and Church in that order. I’ve heard this in homilies. What is good about this and very unique is that it sets a clear boundary. Being a Deacon is not his job, free labor, nor is it suppose to be a stepping stone. It is a gift. Growing up in a different Christian faith with both paid and unpaid clergy, it wasn’t a gift. For example, it might be the expectation of a newly ordained person to immediately play a pastoral or administrative role to “pay their dues”, so they can obtain a higher clerical “rank”. This can put a lot of stress on younger families. It wasn’t fair. The nature of the Catholic diaconate protects people from this and allows Deacons to truly just give a gift.
 
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You are a relatively new convert. You are quite young. I think with your absolutism and hyperbole, it is unlikely that you would be accepted into a diaconate formation program in most dioceses–and I have taught in a diocesan formation program. I also suggest that telling someone that their understandings are “insane,” or that they are a member of a “woke mob” (whatever that might be in your imagination), is neither pastoral nor effective.

As the late Daniel Patrick Moynihan (Catholic) famously said, you are entitled to your own opinions, but not your own facts. I think I would be with @jack63 in changing parishes if I had to be subjected to your homilies.

And–enough. I don’t think it is worth continuing this, at least on my part.
 
Clicking on your profile and looking through the first couple of responses I saw were literally you telling two separate people they werent cut out for what they were considering. You’ve got little to no idea who I am or what I’ve got going on that may have me charged or not charged. Additionally I’ve stated repeatedly I merely want to engage in my own political activism outside of homilies, not in them. I appreciate you taking the time to consider my thoughts but not particularly interested in your serial gatekeeping.
 
I live in Ireland and there are very few Deacons here, I think there are 5 in Dublin for a population of over 1million. They have only been introduced in the last 5-10 years.

Unfortunately I have seen lay people read the Gospel while the priest is present. I thought it was a mistake but wasn’t sure.
 
praytell said:
range from poor homiletic skills
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ROFL!!! That could be said for a very large number of priests, without so much as batting an eye.

The Church extremely early on saw value in the office of the deaconate, and it was seen as a permanent office, not a transitional one.

Time passed, the Church became more clericalized, and the office of deacon was rolled into a transition to priesthood.

There are those who wish to throw around the word “antiquarianism” as it sounds so meliflouus rolling off the tongue; it is as if the Church didn’t “get it right” until clericalism reigned supreme.

The office of deacon is one of service. Whether or not we are short on vocations to the priesthood, there is much that a deacon can do, not in opposition to a priest, but as a thoroughly worthy part of evangelization and the mission of the Church. Perhaps those people who are disparaging of the deaconate have never heard of Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers or never had the opportunity to listen to him; and he does not need to be a priest (nor does he seem to have even an inkling of calling to the priesthood) to accomplish the tremendous work he does. Nor does a deacon need to try to become like him; there are a vast array of matters a deacon can be assigned to do by their bishop.

A deacon works for their bishop; he is their direct “boss”. Why would anyone question the needs of a bishop or the assignments which bishops give their deacons? And why would anyone question the ability of a deacon to take part of the “load” which a priest, unassisted by a deacon, has to carry?

And while we are at it, I agree with a comment Deacon Harold made, that the Church needs to look seriously at determining if younger deacons, with a wife and children, may be a particular witness to the sacrament of marriage for those in the pew - and the many who should be in the pew but are not.
 
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