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Contact:
Rev. James Vlaun & Karen Montalbano
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF PERMANENT DEACONS IN THE DIOCESE OF
ROCKVILLE CENTRE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 3, 2004
ROCKVILLE CENTRE - Bishop William Murphy will be the principal
celebrant at a special liturgy celebrating a quarter century
of the reestablishment of the permanent diaconate in the
Diocese of Rockville Centre on Sunday, June 6 at 7:00 p.m. at
St. Agnes Cathedral here. Almost 80 deacons, 17 of those
jubilarians from the first class, their families, parish
priests and pastors will be joining in the liturgy.
The diaconate began as a separate order in the early church,
but evolved into a transitional stage in the process to the
priesthood. In 1967 Pope Paul VI approved the restoration of
the diaconate as a permanent order in the church as called for
in Vatican II. After several years of development and review,
the late Bishop John McGann approved a diocesan program of
study in 1976. The first class of 48 permanent deacons was
ordained in June of 1979; many of these dedicated men continue
to minister in the diocese today.
Bishop McGann envisioned the vocation of a deacon as different
and distinct from their fellow clergy in the priesthood. In an
interview with The Long Island Catholic in 1976 he said “I
think it will bring some very dedicated laymen into active
ministry. It will give us the benefit of the specialties the
lay people have that they’re willing to contribute to the
Church.” Many deacons are married, have children, and work in
secular jobs.
Bishop William Murphy recently noted the importance of the
role of deacons in the Church, saying “I am so grateful to God
for the men of our Diocese serving as Deacons. They are a gift
to the Church.“
The 260 men ordained as permanent deacons for the diocese
currently serve in over 100 parishes and other ministries on
Long Island. They can administer the Sacrament of Baptism and
preside at weddings, wake and burial services as well as other
liturgies. They can also preach at Mass. However celebrating
the Sacraments of Penance, Confirmation, Annointing of the
Sick and the celebration of the Eucharist remain a part of the
ministerial life of priests only.
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