By John Rohlf, The Message assistant editor
Bishop Joseph M. Siegel said the Aug. 8 ordination of 16 men to the permanent diaconate was a day of profound joy for not only them, their families, friends and parishes, but also for the whole Diocese of Evansville and the universal church.
Bishop Siegel ordained 16 men to the permanent diaconate during the Rite of Ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacon at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville. Over 30 priests concelebrated the Mass. Deacon Tom Evans, director of the permanent diaconate, and Deacon John McMullen, assistant director of the permanent diaconate, were the Deacons of the Mass. Over 30 other diocesan deacons attended the Mass.
The 16 men ordained to the permanent diaconate is the most for the diocese since 2005. The last permanent diaconate ordination prior to 2026 was in 2022, when 12 men were ordained to the permanent diaconate.
Deacons ordained to the permanent diaconate are Deacon Doug Ackerman, Deacon Pete Barry, Deacon Chris Bassler, Deacon Bill Blanke, Deacon Matt Bohleber, Deacon Jerry Durchholz, Deacon Phil Durcholz, Deacon Scott Griffin, Deacon Brian Ketzner, Deacon Luis Londono, Deacon Matthew McDowell, Deacon Pedro Mendez, Deacon Josh Reising, Deacon Ray Alan Ruppel, Deacon Jack Tuinier and Deacon Jorge Velasco.
During the Election of the Candidates, all 16 deacon candidates were called forward by Deacon McMullen. After all 16 men were called forward, Deacon Evans addressed Bishop Siegel and said holy Mother Church asks him to ordain these men to the responsibility of the diaconate.
“After inquiry among the Christian people and upon the recommendation of those concerned with their formation, I testify they have been found worthy,” Deacon Evans said after he was asked by Bishop Siegel if he knew them to be worthy.
Bishop Siegel said relying on the help of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, we choose these our brothers to the Order of the Diaconate. The Rite of Ordination included the Promise of the Elect, Litany of Supplication, Laying On of Hands and Prayer of Ordination and Handing On of The Book of Gospels.
During his homily, Bishop Siegel said through this Rite of Ordination, all 16 men were consecrated to the service of God and his people, and thus join the order of deacons that stretches back to the time of the apostles. Through the final moments of their lives, unto eternity, Bishop Siegel said, they are to be a sign in the church and world of Christ the servant, who emptied himself and was obedient unto death for the salvation of all.
Bishop Siegel said over the past few years, the deacons have sought to develop and strengthen their spiritual life, so that they will radiate the truth and love of Christ in their lives and ministry. They have dedicated themselves to attaining a more profound understanding of the faith that they will profess, teach and preach; sought to develop a heart that sympathizes with the joys and pains of others, especially the poor, sick, the imprisoned and the whole range of human need; and they have sought to strengthen their human formation so that their personality might be a bridge to Christ, not an obstacle.
Bishop Siegel said after they promised to shape their lives in accordance with their ordained vocation and after we called upon the saints to intercede for the deacon candidates, he imposed hands on them and then invoked the Holy Spirit. Through this ancient ritual, Bishop Siegel said, they will be sacramentally conformed to Christ the servant, who has chosen them and calls them to a deeper relationship with him.
Like the Levites of old, Bishop Siegel said, the newly ordained deacons are assigned unconditionally to serve him, his brother priests and the holy people of God. However, their sanctuary is no longer a portable tent in the desert, but is the altar, the marketplace, the hospital bedside and the margins of society, where the poor await in the comfort of Christ. As permanent deacons, Bishop Siegel said, they will straddle two worlds, since they are woven into the fabric of secular life but are also being uniquely set apart for ministry of the word, altar and works of charity. This dual footprint gives them the unique responsibility in building up the Body of Christ.
Bishop Siegel stressed the diaconate ordination for these 16 men is not a promotion to a higher corporate rank, nor is it a reward for years of volunteering. It is an invitation to delve deeper into the heart of the master. He stressed if they do not remain anchored in daily prayer, if they do not faithfully pray the Liturgy of the Hours, immerse themselves in Scripture and do not allow the Eucharist to consume them, their service will quickly become empty social work.
Bishop Siegel said from this moment on, their life is no longer their own as they are laying it down for the church. They are called to love without counting the cost, to serve without seeking applause and to go wherever they are sent to bring the light of Christ, he said.
Bishop Siegel stressed their diaconal ministry is not lived in isolation, but they will live this vocation in closest union with their wives and families, and in communion with their fellow parishioners, priests, deacons, with priests and with him. Remember, Bishop Siegel said, that the Lord prayed that his followers be one that the world may believe. He stressed this unity is essential to our shared ministry. Through our union with Christ and one another in faith, hope and love, we are able to build up God’s kingdom here in southwest Indiana, he said.
Bishop Siegel encouraged the newly ordained deacons to allow the spirit to fill their hearts with the love of Christ, that they may be effective in service, gentle in ministry and constant in prayer.