The Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnois has become the latest Irish
Catholic diocese to announce its intention to set up a lay diaconate.
This was announced along with an initiative to recruit parish
catechists.
Announcing the initiative, Bishop Francis Duffy said in a statement:
“The first pastoral initiative I wish to introduce is the ministry of
Parish Catechist. Our teachers do excellent work in preparing young
people for the sacraments and in faith formation. This is carried out in
conjunction with parents and with parishes. To complement this work I
now invite women and men from the 41 parishes of Ardagh and Clonmacnois
to consider the ministry of Parish Catechist.”
Speaking about the role of parish catechists, he said that “The role
of the Catechist is to work alongside parish clergy, in particular with
parents of candidates for the sacraments of First Holy Communion,
Confirmation and also in other programmes and initiatives that help
people of all ages to deepen their faith.”
Following a two-year training period, the parish catechist will be
commissioned to assist in a parish for a term of four years in this new
voluntary role.
The course of training is also open to people who would like to
deepen their knowledge of the Catholic faith and teachings of the
Catholic Church without taking on a formal role of parish ministry.
The
course, which begins in autumn 2017, will take place in Longford in
partnership with the Diocesan Pastoral Development Office, and will be
offered by the Maryvale Institute, International Catholic College,
Birmingham, England.
Meanwhile, Bishop Duffy has also announced his intention to set up a
lay diaconate in the diocese for the first time. He said
that “Candidates for the Permanent Diaconate will have a good knowledge
of the Gospel, a well-established spiritual life, and a proven
willingness to serve others.”
He continued: “The minimum age for admission to the Permanent
Diaconate is twenty-five years for an unmarried man, and thirty-five
years for a married candidate. The maximum age is sixty years. It will
take four years to become a Permanent Deacon: a preliminary year, before
he is accepted as a candidate, followed by three years of formation, in
a part-time course, involving the study of theology and philosophy, as
well as pastoral, spiritual and human formation.”