It’s gratifying and humbling when a bishops salutes those other members of the clergy who aren’t priests or bishops — and this week, Archbishop John Vlazny of Portland doffs his miter to deacons:

Pope Benedict XVI has asked Catholics the world over to observe a year for priests from now through next June. I have already shared with you some information about this special year, with more to come. But for now I would like to write about another group of clergy in this archdiocese. I don’t mean the bishops. I call your attention to the ministry of the growing corps of deacons serving here across Western Oregon.

Every year I try to arrange for a gathering of our deacon community, including spouses. On Sunday, July 12th, we gathered at Portland’s National Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother, more popularly known as the Grotto. We spent some time together discussing matters that pertain to our shared ministry. We celebrated the Eucharist and enjoyed a fine dinner.

The Archdiocese of Portland was a bit slow in welcoming deacons as members of the clergy. Until 1993 there was only one deacon. But as of last year there were 60 deacons serving here in the archdiocese. Last fall I ordained four new deacons at our Cathedral. This coming Oct. 31 three more men will be ordained deacons for service in this local church. The directors of our Deacon Office, Father Richard Huneger and Deacon Vern Korchinski, tell me that 15 men are in the process of seeking application for acceptance as candidates into the deacon formation program, a venture of some four years. It is quite a sacrifice for them and quite a blessing for the rest of us in the Church.

Deacons are ordained for service across the archdiocese. This is sometimes misunderstood because most deacons tend to begin their ministry in their home parishes, much unlike the experience of newly ordained priests. Deacons are not hired by a pastor but assigned to a particular ministry by the bishop. Sometimes a deacon is hired for a particular responsibility by a pastor and this becomes the source of his remuneration. Obviously there has to be some cooperation between the bishop and the pastor, because a man can’t be working in one parish and assigned to another. Likewise, termination cannot take place without a cooperative process involving both the parish and the Archdiocese. Most deacons do their work gratis while maintaining their employment elsewhere.

Across Western Oregon there are many wonderful men involved in their diaconal ministry. The one who comes to mind first of all is John Ries, who will be retiring from diaconal ministry at the Cathedral at the end of August. He was ordained in the class of 1993 by my predecessor, Cardinal William Levada. Like most deacons, his ministry was varied and intensive. He was generous in his service of prayer at sacramental celebrations, especially Eucharist and Baptism. He instructed candidates who were preparing for the Easter sacraments in the RCIA Program. He frequently visited the sick and was actively involved in “Christmas in April” for many years.

Dr. Owen Cummings is a deacon who serves as professor of theology at Mount Angel Seminary, a frequent lecturer and spiritual director. He directed our own priests’ retreat in early June.

Deacon Jim Pittman is pastoral associate at Christ the King Church in Milwaukie. He has been extraordinarily successful in bringing together a host of resources to serve the needs of the poor, particularly food, clothing and furnishings. Deacon Raul Rodriguez served for many years in Southern Oregon and some years ago accepted responsibility for coordinating ministries at San Martin de Porres Mission in Dayton. I could go on and on but I think you get the picture.

Deacons were not at all uncommon in the early Church. In fact, in those days they were more involved with the work of the bishop than were the presbyters. This began to change in the third century. The office of deacon gradually became simply a stepping stone on the way to ordination to the priesthood. The Fathers of the Second Vatican Council restored the diaconate in the early 1960s and, little by little, deacons have become very important partners with the bishops and priests in bonding our people together as one church and strengthening our evangelizing mission.

Check out the rest at the link. And thank you, Archbishop.