Permanent Diaconate

Published: 05/05/2020

Last Updated: 04/03/2024

Welcome to the Permanent Diaconate section of the Westminster Vocations website.

Since the earliest days of the Church, men ordained as Deacon by the Bishop of his diocese has served the Church in a three-fold ministry:

The Ministry of Charity
The Ministry of the Word
The Ministry of the Altar

As well as parish ministry, deacons are engaged in a variety of other ministries, including school, prison and hospital chaplaincy.

A man considering a vocation as a Permanent Deacon will have the support of their parish priest, be actively engaged in the life of their own parish, and already be involved in works of service and exercising some leadership roles within this community.

Here you will find a series of articles and reflections, testimonies and practical “What next...” features – all aimed to help those discerning a possible calling to this particular vocation within the Church.

If you would like to know more about the Permanent Diaconate or are considering a vocation, then we we will be pleased to hear from you.

Contact: Deacon Adrian Cullen - Director

adriancullen@rcdow.org.uk

07961 594725

For further information please contact Deacon Colin Macken colinmacken@rcdow.org.uk

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Vocations: 'Come and See' - 2024

Whether you are interested in exploring the Priesthood or Permanent Diaconate, you are invited to come along to one of our 'Come & See' Vocations Mornings on:

Sat 16th March, 10am-2pm at Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street, Westminster SW1P 1QN

Sat 20th April, 10am-2pm at Our Lady and St Vincent church hall, 243 Mutton Lane, Potters Bar EN6 2AT

Sat 1st June, 10am-2pm at Our Lady's Hall (the undercroft) at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Rothamsted Avenue, Harpenden AL5 2DB

Refreshments and a light lunch will be provided.

To find out more and and register your attendance at one of the days, please contact:

Canon Roger Taylor - Vocations Promoter rogertaylor@rcdow.org.uk or

Deacon Adrian Cullen - Director Permanent Diaconate adriancullen@rcdow.org.uk 07961 594725

We look forward to hearing from you.

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Congratulations to

Deacon Phil Etuk, Deacon Jim McLean, Deacon Sam Mulira,

ordainained to the Permanent Diaconate

by Bishop Paul McAleenan on 8th July 2023.

https://rcdow.org.uk/bishop-paul-mcaleenan/addresses-and-homilies/homily-for-permanent-diaconate-ordinations-2023/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/catholicwestminster/albums/72177720309631426/with/53032231365/

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2022 National Deacon Assembly: ‘50 years and counting , Permanent Diaconate – past, present….future’ marked the renewal of the permanent diaconate as an active, permanent order of ministry in a changing world, that continues to be “a driving force for the Church’s service or diakonia toward the local Christian communities and a sign or sacrament of the Lord Christ Himself” (Paul VI, Apostolic Letter Ad Pascendum, Introduction).

REPORTS AND RECORDINGS OF TALKS GIVEN:

https://www.hope.ac.uk/research/researchcentres/ministryresearchproject/

https://rcdow.org.uk/vocations/permanent-diaconate/national-deacon-assembly-2022/

Held every four years, the next National Deacon Assembly 2026 will be in Birmingham.

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For further information on the Permanent Diaconate click on the following links:

Permanent Diaconate in Westminster

What is a Deacon?

Application and Formation

Safeguarding in the Permanent Diaconate

Care and Support for Retired, Frail and Sick Deacons

Articles