That’s the question my friend David Gibson is posing over at dotCommonweal, citing the recent CARA study about the permanent diaconate, which notes that — surprise — deacons usually aren’t paid:

I know deacons have other jobs, or are very often older, retired, and/or have working spouses, or other forms of support. But that level of compensation still seems quite low given the amount of work they they do, at least in my limited experience. Sort of like the religious orders of years past? Is this fair or not fair? Or just the way it is?

Check out the rest of his post for some interesting reaction and comments. What do you think?