Pax Romana Ghana proposes institution of permanent deacons

The Ghana Federation of Pax Romana is proposing the introduction of permanent deacons in Arch/Dioceses across the country.

The request is captured in a petition presented to the Bishops on June 29.

The petition underscores several challenges confronting Catholic students, including bureaucratic hurdles hindering the expression of God-given talents, logistical inadequacies in chaplaincies, and the lack of pastoral care from diocesan priests.

Among the recommendations proposed by Pax Romana Ghana Federation is the establishment of permanent deacons in Ghana.

The Federation believes that integrating permanent deacons into the Church structure would facilitate greater engagement and support for young Catholics, addressing their spiritual needs effectively.

The call is in line with that made by the President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference in a 2022 Advent Pastoral Letter.

Parts of the letter signed by Bishop Matthew Gyamfi reads,

In the face of the dwindling population of Catholics, precipitated by a complex of factors, no member of our Church can any longer remain complacent or indifferent. Indeed, there should be attitudinal change among all bishops, priests, religious, seminarians, catechists and other lay faithful, including the youth.

We should all work together, not only to stem the tide of the decline, but also to begin to grow the population of Catholics in Ghana. Whereas the Bishops’ Conference will endeavour to address those factors that are of national character, there should be intentional and collaborative efforts at the diocesan, parish, outstation, basic Christian community and family levels to grow the Catholic population by the year 2030 and in the subsequent decades.

Some of the plans of actions in the dioceses, parishes, outstations, and basic Christian communities should take into consideration the following as may be applicable:

1. Renewal or intensification of well strategized primary evangelization, including revival and crusade programmes.

2. The missionary spirit and zeal should be re-enkindled in the clergy, religious and laity, including the youth.

3. Implementation of good strategies for Church planting in towns, suburbs and villages without Catholic presence. This will bring the Church closer to the faithful, some of whom travel long distances to attend Mass.

4. Intensification of chaplaincy services for non-Catholic schools and institutions. Pastors of parishes within whose territories such schools/institutions exist should see them as prioritized “outstations” which need weekly pastoral care.

5. The recruitment, formation, remuneration and supervision of catechists properly reviewed and enhanced in view of adequate catechesis.

6. There should be systematic and comprehensive syllabi and teaching of catechism, which cover all the age groups of children and youth until they reach the age of marriage.

7. The implementation of the National Youth Policy should be well done.

8. There should be adequate marriage and family life formation and more lay faithful should be trained for this ministry.

9. More lay faithful, including the youth, should be trained and engaged in other areas of pastoral ministry.
10. The permanent diaconate should be considered.

11. Pastors should be more available to the flocks entrusted to them.

In the Catholic Church, there are two different types of deacons. The most common type of deacon is the transitional deacon, who is typically a man on the way to the priesthood.

The second type of deacon, becoming increasingly more common, is the permanent deacon, meaning that the deacon will not become a priest and will remain a deacon for the rest of his life.