Bishop on deacons: ‘Let’s lift up this vocation, let’s emphasize its role’

Arlington’s Bishop Michael Burbidge had some warm words about deacons in The Catholic Herald, which is running a series this year on the 50th anniversary of the restoration of the permanent diaconate:

Fifty years ago, the Catholic Church reinstituted the permanent diaconate, and the men of the Diocese of Arlington have responded generously to the call. “We have a significant number of men stepping forward saying they want to be deacons. Recruitment, with God’s grace, is taking really good care of itself,” said Bishop Michael F. Burbidge. Currently, there are more than 70 permanent deacons in active ministry and 15 men in formation with future classes forming.

As a young priest, Bishop Burbidge worked with permanent deacons in his parishes. “I really began to see that my vocation as a priest was supported (by) the deacons, who became great collaborators in the work of meeting pastoral and spiritual needs,” he said. “The deacons I met (then) and the deacons I continue to meet really have been a source of inspiration, to see their profound love of the church in the midst of so many other demands.”

…Bishop Burbidge believes the anniversary year is a time to lift up this special vocation. “I always think it’s very important we understand that all vocations are from God and are to be respected, because they all play a unique role. But it’s very wise at times to lift up a particular vocation,” he said. “I think this anniversary of the diaconate is a wonderful time for us to say, ‘let’s lift up this vocation, let’s emphasis its role.’ It’s a great opportunity to make clear what this gift is to the church.”

Read it all.