BISHOP PAUL J. BRADLEY CALLS FOR A NEW CLASS OF DEACONS

PITTSBURGH – Bishop Paul J. Bradley issued a pastoral statement today calling for a deacon formation program that would prepare and form men to be ordained as deacons to serve in ministry for the Diocese of Pittsburgh. The letter begins a formation process that will culminate in ordination in January 2013.

“Because of the importance of the diaconate, I am pleased to call for applicants to join the formation program,” Bishop Bradley said in his pastoral statement calling for the new class of deacons.

The Pastoral Statement was published in the June 22, 2007 Pittsburgh Catholic.

The diaconate is an ordained ministry along with the priesthood and the episcopacy. Deacons preach and teach, assist priests and bishops in the celebration of the Eucharist, and oversee ministries of service and charity.

The diaconate flourished in the western Church in the early centuries, then declined, surviving as an intermediate step for those preparing for priestly ordination. The Second Vatican Council called for restoration of the diaconate.

The restoration of the diaconate was seen by the Council as a means to “enrich the Church with the functions of the diaconate,” to strengthen “with the grace of diaconal ordination those who already exercised many of its functions of service,” and “to provide regions, where there was a shortage of clergy, with sacred ministers,” the Council explained.

This restoration of the diaconate “was in no manner intended to prejudice or replace priesthood, but rather be of service to it,” Bishop Bradley stated.

In the Diocese of Pittsburgh, the diaconate is open to both married and unmarried men between the ages of 31 and 60 with a strong Catholic faith and a solid reputation and character. They must be in full communion with the Church and should have a bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) or the equivalent.

In addition, the diocese will also look for men with qualities and talents that meet the diocese’s needs, such as counseling or management skills.

Men interested in the diaconate should contact their pastor who is responsible for the nomination phase of the application process.

The Office for the Diaconate is charged with the coordination and facilitation of the application process and the formation program. Father James Wehner serves as the director of this office as well as Rector of Saint Paul Seminary, Crafton. Father Wehner explained, “The ministry of service and witness to the charitable works of the Church will benefit from the Order of the Diaconate. The Church needs men who can offer a witness to this service which will serve laity and priests alike.” Father Wehner added, “The candidate will need to understand that the needs of the Church as defined and identified by the Bishop are the primary, motivating factor of one’s discernment to diaconal ministry.”

Over the Summer, the Office for the Diaconate will host two listening session at Saint Paul Seminary for men interested in the diaconate or for those wanting to learn more about the diaconate: July 25 at 7:00 p.m. and July 28 at 10:00 a.m. The sessions are open to all who want to learn more about the diaconate and the formation program.

From September through December 2007, pastors will nominate applicants to the Office for the Diaconate which has oversight of the application process. Men who meet the canonical and educational requirements for the diaconate will be invited to submit an application during this time period.

From June through December 2008, the men accepted into the formation program will deepen their understanding of the diaconate during a 30-week period of preliminary instruction emphasizing the human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral prerequisites for candidacy for the diaconate.

From January 2009 through December 2012, the men who continue the program will complete 24 academic courses, participate in eight one-day pastoral workshops, eight days of recollection and five retreats, and complete four ten-week pastoral experiences in hospitals, prisons, parishes and other settings.

Once their coursework and examinations are completed, the candidates for the permanent diaconate will be nominated for ordination slated for January 2013.

Recently, the diocese has begun to examine its pastoral needs. Based on that study, the new deacons will be called and trained to serve in a variety of ministries in both parishes and institutions.

Once ordained, these deacons may find themselves working in hospitals or youth detention centers, taking on administrative duties or serving in ministries shared in several parishes within a cluster, or in a deanery under the direction of a dean.

Bishop Bradley concluded his statement: “As the Church of Pittsburgh continues to move forward, I offer my gratitude to the men who will consider this special vocation and to their families who offer support. May the Lord bless them in their initial discernment and all those who will give support and direction at this most important time of their life.”