Word from Atlanta this week that their diaconate program is being re-tooled — and the Georgia Bulletin explains why and how:

The Archdiocese of Atlanta has taken a proactive, leadership role in implementing the U.S. bishops’ National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons for the diaconate program here.

After completing an internal self-study, the diocese in 2008 became the first in the country to invite a national evaluation team in to make recommendations about strengthening facets of the formation program and the diaconal ministry in light of the new directory.

Deacon Dennis Dorner said he is energized by what has been accomplished and what lies ahead and by the team of local people who have begun serving as advisors and collaborators.

“It is a bright new day, and there are so many people working so hard to see this come together. It is very exciting,” said Deacon Dorner, appointed two and a half years ago as director of deacon personnel.

“I think it is all going to make for a much more vibrant diaconate, a better prepared diaconate, and hopefully better service to the people of God in the archdiocese because we have better prepared deacons.”

Describing some of the structural changes that are taking place, he said roles have been reconfigured and an advisory board created to assist in vital areas including curriculum, selecting candidates for permanent deacon, and evaluating their readiness for ordination as their formation progresses.

Deacon Dorner said his role is to direct the office as a whole, while reporting through Msgr. Luis Zarama, vicar general, to the archbishop and his title is director of the office of the diaconate. Deacon Steve Swope who began in August as the new associate director of formation will report to Deacon Dorner. Father Tim Hepburn is the newly named spiritual director for the diaconate.

In December 2004 the U.S. bishops approved the new national directory.

At the request of Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory, the self-study process outlined in the directory was begun in the archdiocese after Deacon Dorner’s appointment in 2006.

A group of 11 people, including priests, deacons, sisters and other laity, did “a systematic review of the entire diaconate program from candidate selection all the way through post-ordination,” Deacon Dorner said. “We followed the whole self-study document.”

“Then we had a visiting committee come in who were on the original writing committee (for the national directory). … They reviewed what the self-study had said and came back with their own recommendations.”

The Archdiocese of Atlanta was the first in the country to request the external review, which gives dioceses a great chance to evaluate what they are already doing and to benefit from the recommendations of those most familiar with the directory to enhance the diocesan program.

Deacon Bill Ditewig Ph.D., director of graduate programs in theology and associate professor of theology and religious studies at St. Leo University, and Dr. Ann Healey conducted the review.

Two new Archdiocese of Atlanta documents, a new formation directory and a new policies and procedures manual, were prepared as a result, reviewed and approved by Archbishop Gregory, and implemented in June.

They are considered draft documents for two years, Deacon Dorner said, because they are open to changes as they are tested by experience. They are posted on the archdiocesan Web site.

There’s much more at the Bulletin link, and at the Archdiocese of Atlanta web site.