Two men took a step closer to becoming Permanent Deacons at the weekend.
Tony Ward was instituted as Lector (reader) by Archbishop Cushley at St Bennet’s in Edinburgh. Tony is a parishioner at St Mary Magdalene’s in Glenrothes.
Terence Siu was admitted as a candidate for Holy Orders. He serves at St Peter’s in Edinburgh and also attends Sacred Heart, Penicuik.
The Permanent Diaconate is part of the Sacrament of Holy Orders in the Catholic Church.
Permanent Deacons are ordained clergy who are called to serve the Church through ministry, charity and outreach, while often continuing to work in ordinary professions and married life.
Unlike priests, they do not celebrate Mass or hear Confession, but they play an important role in parish and diocesan life.
Liturgically, deacons can proclaim the Gospel at Mass, preach homilies, baptise, witness marriages, preside at funerals and funeral services, lead Benediction and other services, and assist the bishop or priest at the altar.
They are especially called to ministries of charity and pastoral care within their communities.
Deacons from left in title image: Ronnie Macaulay (St Joseph’s, Whitburn); Douglas Robertson (Ss John Cantius & Nicholas, Broxburn); Paul Brady (St Machan’s, Lennoxtown); Peter Traynor (St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh); Pat Carrigan (retired, Most Holy Trinity, West Fife); Eddie White (St John’s & St Mary Magdalene’s, Edinburgh); Kenneth Mununga (St Francis Xavier’s, Falkirk); John Smith (St Peter’s, Edinburgh); Tom McEvoy (Sacred Heart, Penicuik).
To find out more about the Permanent Diaconate in our Archdiocese please contact Deacon Ronnie Macaulay: deaconronnie.macaulay@staned.org.uk
