Paid Deacons?

[Tim Killmeyer]

People have discussed this question a few times and I thought it might make a good POLL question for us.

In the diocese of Pittsburgh deacons are not paid. If they are a business manager or pastoral associate or similar at a parish, they get paid for that as any person would, but they don't get paid by virtue of ordination to the diaconate.

Note that the question is not "Do your deacons get paid?" but "DO YOU THINK deacons should be paid?"

As usual, all responses to the poll itself are anonymous, but you can all reply to the message as well, if you like.

Tim

[alheiles]

I would not support the deacon 's getting paid for his general duty in service of the Church as a Deacon. I naturally support Deacon's being paid for service outside of his ministry as a deacon.

[Deacon Lud]

I agree with Brother Al above. Of course I always do. He is my hero.

[vincestx]

I vote that deacons should not be paid
vincent colianni

[tcuskey]

I agree that the work we are ordained to should be unpaid service. I also agree that there are paid positions that a deacon (or other qualified candidate) may engage in when the situation calls for it. There has been discussion in the Syracuse (NY) diocese that interested deacons may eventually be called on to take over as an administrator (for lack of a better word) of a parish in the absence of a priest. This has to be a paid position and could also include housing in a rectory to make it a feasible ministry for a deacon with dependents to take on.

Dc Tom Cuskey

[mjrobb43]

I do not think deacons should be paid by the parish for their normal duties of services. I do think deacons should be able to accept stipends, especially for services rendered outside of their assigned duties. I think it would also be nice if deacons could opt in to dioscesan health care programs is some manner.

MJR
Roch, NY

[delohouse]

I believe that Diaconal service should be unpaid as a general rule. When service is rendered out of love and mission, it takes on a deeper spiritual meaning. Being unpaid frees us from the issues and incentives that come from being "on the payroll".

Of course when a deacon takes a job that is normally remunerated - such as Pastoral associate - they should be paid.

DEL
Rochester, NY

[Ed Solomon]

I do not think Deacons should be paid for their ministry. As we move to a church where all God's people use their gifts and talents to serve the Lord, deacons should do the same. The only exception is deacon's who apply for an existing paid position within the church, for example Director of Faith Formation or prison chaplain. In those instances, the deacon is applying for a position and, if selected, should be compensated accordingly. Diaconal assignments made by the Bishop should not be, in my opinion, compensated. It fosters an understanding of church as another enterprise in this world powered by money.

[tom peshek]

Although it is not "pay" as such, in Cleveland the parish is asked to provide up to a $ 1000 / year continuing education budget for each deacon. In our parish practice, this is generally re-imbursed after the fact.

[devitopl]

It depends on the assignment. If the deacon is assigned as the parish administrator then YES a salary should be provided. However to assist at mass or teach religious classes; NO a salary is not required.

[mcvey96]

Deacons should be paid only when in a full-time position as administrator or leader of a ministry.

[deaconvolker]

I'm not advocating a paycheck by any stretch but it would be nice if Parishes were compensating us for those little things no one ever thinks about. Books, mileage to meetings, continuing ed etc.

Our Diocese mandates up to $500 is available for an annual retreat, but the rest of "being a Deacon" comes out of pocket. Is the ministry of a Deacon less than the ministry of an organist? Ours get compensated, I think there should be a bit of consideration tossed our way as well.

[raylpurvis]

I do not favor Deacons being pa for their normal ministries but do for the administrative roles beyond the normal. I have had an inquirey into Diaconate Formation purely based on the idea the person was looking for a secure job and felt becoming a deacon would allow that within the Church. Wrong motivation for the diaconate!

[tjberna]

Seems like we are all on the same page... that is not bad.

When I came to Pittsburgh I applied for a job as a chaplain at the state prison. The position was occupied by a priest, and the state was paying the diocese for his services (he was not paid by either the state or the diocese). I argued that it was a matter of social justice for me to be paid (at least a portion of what the state was paying the diocese). The diocese resolved the situation as follows: (1) The contract with the diocese was reduced by 15 hours per week. (2) The diocese endorsed me to serve as a chaplain. (3) The bishop did NOT assign me to work in the prison. (4) I work as an independent contractor paid by the state.
Note: The bishop has given me 2 assignments (liturgical and ministry of charity) for which I do not get paid, and I gladly serve.

[Russ O'Neill]

I agree with what most have said here. However, I do think the parish should pay for continuing ed programs, retreats, etc. In the Youngstown diocese, parish are to pay up to $1,000 for these. However, I know that some pastors do and some don't.

[abreviario]

IMHO the poll question is a bit vague...

Does the question refer to deacons in ministry in their own parish, or deacons possibly working for the diocese? To my knowledge, parish deacons are not paid. Deacons who work for the diocese and have applied for a full-time or part-time position within the diocese are paid...

[Tim Killmeyer]

Not vague... You can't put every little nuance in a Poll question!

If you read my note it was very clear - "...paid by virtue of being a deacon."

Administrators, business managers, pastoral associates, are paid by virtue of the job, deacon or no deacon.

Did you want me to say "Should deacons start receiving a paycheck the day of their ordination?"

We receive stipends for certain things, though not required - committals, weddings, baptisms, etc. Our parish assignment pays for our yearly retreats. My assignment at the Diocesan Pastoral Center allows my to get reimbursed for parking (and probably gas if I pushed the issue - not a big deal).

Tim

[bigj]

Sept 9, 2013 7:11:47 GMT -5 Tim Killmeyer said:

People have discussed this question a few times and I thought it might make a good POLL question for us.

In the diocese of Pittsburgh deacons are not paid. If they are a business manager or pastoral associate or similar at a parish, they get paid for that as any person would, but they don't get paid by virtue of ordination to the diaconate.

Note that the question is not "Do your deacons get paid?" but "DO YOU THINK deacons should be paid?"

As usual, all responses to the poll itself are anonymous, but you can all reply to the message as well, if you like.

Tim

[Tim Killmeyer]

O.K....

Point being? I didn't quote exactly?

Still not vague.

[rwilliamsen]

In the Stockton Diocese of California there is a Deacon Board who has tackled these types of issues. A review of compensation took on the look of priestly compensation, ie. stipens for certain duites.

We receive a stipen for a funeral vigil or committal. (Not for particpating in a Funeral Mass.)

We do not receive stipens for Communion Services.

We are allowed to accept an unsolicited gift for weddings (and baptisims as is custom with those from Mexico), although I must admit that I do not feel comfortable in accepting them. I have only once received such a gift and was gracious about it.

The parish is supposed to pay for the annual mandatory Diocesan retreat ($450) and upto $150 for books or other education.

The are also to provide a set of Dalmatics. Some parishes do not feel they can aford the cost of a set of Dalmatics and so they do not.