Parramatta Deacon Tony Hoban has been elected to the board of the International Diaconate Centre. Source: Catholic Outlook.
The IDC has its offices in Germany and has almost 1800 members from 73 countries. Of these, 1100 members are from Europe (most in Germany and Austria), 187 from North America and just 23 from Oceania.
The IDC aims to study and promote the permanent diaconate in the Church; to gather and share practical experiences, encourage ecumenical cooperation in line with Vatican II, foster relationships with the Apostolic See and connect with commissions, bishops conferences and institutions involved with the permanent diaconate.
The IDC also organises international study conferences, generally every four years.
The IDC has a made up of the general assembly, which is a meeting of members every four years, an elected assembly of delegate and the elected executive board.
The late Deacon Nick Kerr of Adelaide (for five years), and then Deacon Hoban (in the past four years), were previously delegates representing Oceania.
The election of the new board and assembly of delegates occurred in February during the most recent study conference in Rome. This coincided with the Jubilee for deacons, which concluded with a Mass attended by 4000 deacons in St Peter’s Basilica.
Deacon Hoban said he was surprised to be selected, given the bulk of members are from Europe.
“I put my name forward for both the board and assembly of delegates, not really expecting that many people would know me or vote for me,” he said.
Deacon Hoban, along with his wife Annette, was the first deacon to establish an urban Catholic faith community in Australia, at St Luke’s, Marsden Park, in the Parramatta Diocese.
He led the community for almost seven years until it became a parish at the beginning of this year.
He is also the chair of the National Association of Deacons in Australia and sees many similarities between it and the IDC.
“Both organisations seek to support deacons with newsletters and gatherings, which provide forums for an exchange of views, theology and ideas.
“Our vocation is often quite misunderstood, so it is good to be able to share our joys and challenges with fellow deacons and others who are interested in the diaconate. But while the NAD is focused on Australia, the IDC works globally,” he said.
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Deacon Tony elected to International Diaconate Centre Board (Catholic Outlook)
