A new association has been established this month to support the growing number of ordained deacons in the Catholic Church in Australia.
The statutes for the new Australian Catholic Deacons Association (ACDA) were approved by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference on 3 May.
ACDA has emerged from the National Association of Deacons, which was part of the National Council of Priests (NCP).
President of ACDA, Deacon Tony Hoban, from the Diocese of Paramatta, said this was a significant moment in the life of the diaconate in Australia.
We are neither glorified altar servers nor mini priests. We are, in the words of the most recent Church Synod, servants of the mystery of God and the Church, through charity, the word and the liturgy
‘We are grateful for the support we have received from the NCP over the past 22 years,’ Deacon Tony said. ‘But the time has come for our deacons to have their own, independent association to champion our vocation, to provide collegial support to deacons and their wives and those in formation, and to offer benefits to members such as conferences and webinars that assist and inspire them in their vocation and various ministries.
‘Deacons are often misunderstood by many in the Church. We are neither glorified altar servers nor mini priests. We are, in the words of the most recent Church Synod, servants of the mystery of God and the Church, through charity, the word and the liturgy (§73).’
Ordained deacons baptise, conduct funerals, celebrate marriages, proclaim the Gospel in the liturgy, preach the homily and participate in sacramental programs. As servants of charity, ordained deacons can be chaplains in hospitals, prisons, universities and armed services, and they also visit the sick.
Deacon Tony serves on the executive committee of the new association as president, along with representatives from five regional groups: Deacon Tim Grauel (Adelaide), Deacon Chad Hargrave (Brisbane); Deacon Michael Hangan (Melbourne and Hobart), Deacon Bruce Talbot (Perth) and Deacon Anthony Gooley (Sydney and Canberra–Goulburn).
Today there are more than 200 deacons in Australia in the Catholic Church.
Membership of the association is open to deacons of the Catholic Church and Eastern Churches. Lay people can join as associate members.
The first piece of formal correspondence issued by the new association was a letter to Pope Leo XIV, offering the association’s congratulations and prayerful support.
In Australia, the first ‘permanent’ deacon, Vincent Dowdy, was ordained for the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn on 6 August 1972 at St Christopher’s Cathedral, Canberra. Since then, the vocation has developed gradually in many Australian dioceses. Today there are more than 200 deacons in Australia in the Catholic Church.
The patrons of the association are St Stephen, St Lawrence, St Ephraim and St Francis of Assisi.
Anyone interested in being part of the new association can join at www.ausdeacons.asn.au.
Banner image: Melbourne’s permanent deacons gathered with their families and friends at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Sunday 23 February for a special Mass to celebrate the Jubilee of Deacons.
