Two seminarians received the order of deacon from the Most Rev. Charles Thompson, bishop of the Diocese of Evansville, IN, at the Saint Meinrad Archabbey Church in St. Meinrad, IN, on April 22.
The newly ordained deacons are Jeffrey Dufresne of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and Br. Peduru Fonseka, OSB, of Saint Meinrad Archabbey. They are students at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology.
Others in their class will be or have been ordained deacons in their respective dioceses.
In the Catholic faith, a deacon can preach, baptize, witness marriages, offer Communion to the sick and aged, and perform other ministerial duties. The newly ordained deacons are transitional deacons, meaning they are preparing for ordination to the priesthood. Many Catholic dioceses also have permanent deacons, who carry out the same role, but are not studying for the priesthood.
Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology offers initial and ongoing formation for priests, permanent deacons and lay ministers. The school is operated by the Benedictine monks of Saint Meinrad Archabbey.
Photo: Following the deacon ordination, the new deacons accept applause outside the Archabbey Church. From left are Archabbot Kurt Stasiak, OSB; newly ordained Deacon Peduru Fonseka, OSB; Bishop Charles Thompson and newly ordained Deacon Jeffrey Dufresne.