“From the Archives” — Permanent Diaconate: An Old Custom Revived

The years following the Second Vatican Council saw many innovations in the Church. One was the revival of the ancient ministry of permanent deacons.

On May 26, 1972, the first permanent deacon in the Diocese of Richmond was ordained in Saint Mary Church in Alexandria. He was John Bowler, 43, an attorney with the U. S. Civil Service Commission. He studied for three years at seminaries in Washington, DC, in preparation for his service as a deacon. Auxiliary Bishop Walter J. Sullivan officiated at the ordination. The new deacon could perform many duties formerly done only by priests, including witnessing marriages and reading the Gospel and preaching at Mass.

“This is a very historic evening in our diocese,” said Bishop Sullivan. He explained the role of permanent deacon evolved out of men’s desire to be of greater service to the Church. He welcomed Deacon Bowler as a fellow worker in the Kingdom of God. At the same ceremony, Bishop Sullivan also ordained five men as sub-deacons, men studying to become permanent deacons.

“None of us can see how far this program will go in the next 25 to 50 years,” noted Father Joseph Wingler, Saint Mary’s pastor.

Seventy-six active permanent deacons now serve in the Diocese of Arlington, and an additional 13 men are currently participating in the Diaconate Formation Program. Father Wingler was right — the program has indeed gone far.