Diocese of Orange to Ordain 15 New Permanent Deacons
The permanent diaconate has seen exponential growth in the U.S., growing from roughly 800 deacons in 1975 to more than 18,000 in 2012.
GARDEN GROVE, CALIF., (OCT. 7, 2015) – The Most Rev. Kevin Vann, Bishop of Orange, will ordain 15 new deacons to serve the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange during a Mass of Ordination.
- When: Saturday, October 17, 2015, at 10:00 a.m.
- Where: St. Columban Church (10801 Stanford Ave), Garden Grove
A Ministry of Service
The role of a permanent deacon in the Catholic Church is a lifelong commitment to Christian service through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, with a primary dedication to charity and social justice. A permanent deacon is an ordained minister who may be married, maintain a secular job, and preserve a regular family life.
Their duties may include:
- Baptizing
- Officiating at marriages and funeral services
- Assisting and preaching in the liturgy
- Presiding at various community devotions
“We are blessed to welcome so many new deacons into the permanent diaconate within our Diocese,” said Bishop Vann. “These unique individuals will assist in serving the ever-growing and important needs of our flock… striving to be a living reminder of Christ the Servant’s presence in the Church and world.”
A Ministry with Ancient Roots
The diaconate traces its roots to the early days of Christianity, as described in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 6:1-6), when the first seven deacons were appointed to care for the poor.
While the role of a permanent diaconate faded for centuries, it was restored by Pope Paul VI in 1967 in accordance with the will of the Second Vatican Council. The U.S. Bishops reinstituted the permanent diaconate in 1968. Since then, the number of deacons in the U.S. has grown exponentially, from around 800 in 1975 to more than 18,000 in 2012.
The Fifteen Candidates to be Ordained
- Ricardo Barraza Mejia – La Purisima
- Stephen Michael Byars – St. Mary’s by the Sea
- Pedro Jose Cardenas – Holy Family Cathedral
- Biviano Cordero Roman – Immaculate Heart of Mary
- John Randolph Davies – St. Irenaeus
- Daniel Joseph Diesel – Santiago de Compostela
- Angelo Giambrone – St. Vincent de Paul
- Peter Murray Lauder – St. Juliana Falconieri
- Tuan Duc Nguyen – St. Boniface
- Timothy William O’Donoghue – La Purisima
- Humberto Ramirez – Santiago De Compostela
- Michael James Shaffer – St. Angela Merici
- Michael Thomas Stock – St. Edward the Confessor
- Chau Quy Tran – St. Nicholas
- Antonio Vazquez-Orozco – St. Anthony Claret
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