Introduction of deacons faces opposition in Irish diocese

The introduction of the permanent diaconate in the Diocese of Killaloe has been met with opposition from some women who reject the idea of another male-only ministry.

On Wednesday, a group of Catholic women met to establish Killaloe’s first women’s forum and “discuss inclusivity in the Church and listen to the voices of women”.

The organiser of the group is Kathleen McDonnell, a well-known retreat-giver in the diocese, who works for her West Clare parish pastoral council in Cross, Kilballyowen, Kilbaha. She said: “This move to recruit deacons has been discussed at different levels in the diocese and there was huge opposition and we have been ignored.” She added that one of the reasons for the opposition was because it was “another ordained exclusively male ministry. We have too many layers already.

“When you consider the enormity of service being done by women – it is incomprehensible to introduce a level of ministry that excludes women. It is very insulting,” she said.

Bishop Kieran O’Reilly’s invitation to married and single men to apply for training as permanent deacons was issued in a pastoral letter in August. In that letter he stressed: “The role of the deacon does not replace or surpass the work of pastoral councils or pastoral workers.”

The permanent diaconate for single and married men (the latter need to be at least 35) was re-established by the Second Vatican Council. Deacons can celebrate baptisms, marriages and funerals but cannot say Masses or hear confessions. The deacon is also called to have a ministry for charity. Permanent deacons are well established in the United States and England and Wales but are relatively new in Ireland.