The role of a Permanent Deacon

Dec 06, 2018

By Deacon Clement Samuel and Marlina Sara Sylvester
The Second Peninsular Malaysia Permanent Deacons and Wives Conference took place in St Anne’s Church Nov 16-18, 2018.

Present at the conference were Archbishop Julian Leow, Bishop Bernard Paul and Bishop Sebastian Francis, Fr Edwin Peter (KL), Fr Ignatius Yeo (Singapore) and Msgr Henry Rajoo (Episcopal Vicar for Permanent Deacons of Penang Diocese).

Deacon Tony Aspinall from Australia was the main facilitator. He is the National Coordinator of the Permanent Diaconate in Australia.

There are about 140 deacons in Australia. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Theology and certification in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), both basic and advance. He is married with 10 grandchildren. There were 10 deacons from Malacca Johore diocese, four from Penang diocese, two aspiring deacons and eight wives at this conference. Facilitating the sessions for the wives was Mayette, a pastoral worker from the Penang Diocese.

There were six sessions throughout the weekend that spoke about their roles, spirituality of servanthood, personal order in the life of a deacon, serving as a deacon and, finally, an open forum with the Bishops and Deacon Tony.

Deacon Tony shared that “The appointment of a deacon to a parish is very important, both for the deacon and for the parish community. If the community is aware that a deacon is appointed to serve in their parish, they will give spiritual and practical support. It is important for the people to know that the deacon brings his week’s work/ministry to the altar to offer to God in gratitude. This helps the people understand that he is not on the sanctuary In Persona Christi but Persona Ecclesia.”

To fulfil his call, the deacon must not only be aware that he is taking up the mission of Jesus, called the Tria Munera of Priest, Prophet and King (Jesus’ teaching and preaching, Jesus’ sanctifying, Jesus’ leading and administrating). He is also called to help all baptised and confirmed Christians realise that they, too, share in Jesus’ mission.

In his book published this year, Bishop W. Shawn McKnight of the US points out the deacon as a symbol of communitas, rather than a rank in the hierarchy. He believes that such a focus for ministry (communitas) could reinforce the Christological and ecclesial character of diaconal ministry. He said, “Pope Paul VI described the diaconate as an intermediate order that should accomplish three ends: express the needs and desires of the Christian faithful, serve as a driving force for service among the people of God and symbolise Christ the servant.”

Deacon Tony shared that “the deacon should not simply be consigned to the “Lower Ranks of the Heirachy” but, rather, seen as a Medius Ordo, an intermediary. Seen this way in theological terms, the deacon is other than the bishop and his priests and other than the laity. While distinctly other, the deacon is, nonetheless, directly related to both the clergy (by virtue of ordination), and the laity (by virtue of not sharing in the presidency of the assembly).

The deacon, therefore, stands not only in the unique position as other but, also, among the people of God. The conference was well received by the participants.

Deacon Sherman Kuek shared that “In these three days, the sessions have helped me to reflect, in a deeper way, on the relationship between our diaconal vocation and the communal character of the Church (communitas).”

Deacon Adrian Ng said, “I believe this conference will have a great impact on the future of this ministry in Malaysia.” Mary, the wife of Deacon Clement, commented that “the sessions were enlightening and the wives were happy for the opportunity to share their struggles and find greater peace in the Lord. I hope that more such gatherings will be organised in future.”

The conference ended with lunch and fellowship among the deacons, before all headed home, fully inspired and renewed.