Why Can't I Be Ordained?

So, did that title grab you?

First of all, I am not a female that desires to be a priest. I am a happily married Catholic male....with no desire to be a priest.

Confused? So am I. I want to serve as a permant deacon. There is an increasing number of permanent deacons in nearly every archdiocese and diocese in the United States. Unfortunately, the diocese in which I live is an exception. There is a very small number of permanent deacons serving in my diocese. Nearly all were ordained together a few years ago. They were the only permanent deacons to be ordained in my diocese. When they were ordained, the public message from the leadership of our diocese was that permanent deacons are in no way substitutes for priests. That message undoubtly gave the new deacons a warm feeling of acceptance. It does not help the current permanent deacons that there are no deacons following in their footsteps - there are no "junior" deacons to mentor.

There is hope. Several priests that work with permanent deacons are strongly encouraging the diocesan leadership to actively establish a formation program for additional permanent deacons. When I met a North American Cardinal on a recent visit to Rome, we discussed the status of the permanent diaconate in my diocese. His Eminence was very surprised to hear that there was no active formation program for the permanent diaconate. He said he would pray that I will one day be ordained a permanent deacon.

Please pray that all of us can heed the plea of Pope Benedict for more workers in the vineyard.