Diocese seeks to recruit deacons as clergy numbers fall

The diocese of Cork and Ross will start a recruitment drive in the coming months aimed at encouraging both married and unmarried parishioners to join the clergy by becoming deacons.

Permanent deacons can be single or married. They baptise new entrants to the Church, witness marriages, perform funeral and burial services outside of Mass, distribute Holy Communion, preach the homily, and are obligated to pray the Divine Office (breviary) each day.

Two months ago, Ireland’s first married deacons were ordained by the Archbishop of Dublin, Diarmuid Martin. All but one of the eight men ordained are married.