The Oscott programme for the formation of permanent deacons began in September 2005. This programme is designed to promote a renewed vision of the Permanent Diaconate through a curriculum based on the specific intellectual, spiritual, pastoral and human needs of the deacon today. The main focus of this programme is the community of diaconate formation, which meets every five weeks, usually on a Saturday and occasionally for the whole weekend. Studies take place mainly at home through the use of specially designed course books. The present community of formation, including some of the wives, can be seen below.
The programme is open to candidates from the Archdiocese of Birmingham and any neighbouring dioceses who wish to participate. The programme currently has students from Birmingham, Menevia and Shrewsbury in formation. Building on the tradition of priestly formation at Oscott, the diaconate programme places the seminary resources at the service of developing the permanent diaconate in England and Wales and creates a diaconal formation community within the seminary community. The Oscott programme is designed to promote a renewed vision of the permanent diaconate through a curriculum based on the specific intellectual, spiritual, pastoral and human needs of the deacon today.
Students follow a four year programme which combines elements of distance learning and part time study. They are expected to attend eleven formation meetings at Oscott during the year alongside spiritual direction, private study, human formation and pastoral experience, all of which take place within their own diocese. In developing this programme we have followed the 1998 Vatican Basic Norms for the Formation of Permanent Deacons and the provisional Directory for the Formation of Permanent Deacons issued by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales in 2003 (DFPDEW). There are also canonical norms which govern the permanent diaconate, as given in the Code of Canon Law (nn. 1008-154) and the theological tradition of the Church in relation to deacons is summed up in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC1554).
STAFF AND STUDENTS
2010-11 Diaconate Formation Faculty
Mgr. Mark Crisp STB (Rome) - Rector Rev. Richard Walker LLB, STL (Rome) - Vice-Rector Rev. Harry Curtis BSc, STL (Rome) Med - Academic Dean Dr. Judith Champ PhD (Birmingham) - Director of Studies Rev. Paul McNally STL (Leuven) - Pastoral Director Rev. Paul Fitzpatrick MA - Pastoral Co-ordinator Rev. Hugh Sinclair LLB - Spiritual Formator Rev. Zbigniew Zieba MA SSL (Rome) Rev. Reg Lewis BSc, DMS & Mrs Jill Lewis Cert Ed, CTC - Deacon Formator and Wife Mrs. Jayne Isaac DMS - Academic Programmes Manager
2010-11 Students Aspirants: Year One Mr. Daniel Hurd (B) Mr John Marriott (B) Mr. Leo Poole (B) Mr. Brian Theobald (B) Mr. Stephen Walters (B)
Candidates: Year Two Mr David Cotterell (S) Mr David Fairbotham (B) Mr Ajit Gomez (B) Mr. Anthony Janew (B) Mr Peter Losa (S) Mr Thomas McBeath (S) Mr Michael McKearney (B) Mr Maxcell Biakai (B) Mr Adam Nicholls (B) Mr. Joseph Patterson (B) Mr David Pranauskas (B) Mr Philip Prince (B) Mr Paul Rabvukwa (B) Mr Mike Topping (S) Mr David Williams (B) Mr William Yates (S)
Candidates: Year Three Mr Charles Duncombe (B) Mr Jack Foxall (B) Mr Pete Middleton (B)
Candidates: Year Four Mr James Caddick (M) Mr Mike Daly (S) Mr Stephen Dunton (B) Mr Dominic Fahey (B) Mr David Hill (S) Mr Stephan McCormick (S) Mr Thomas Tranter (B) Mr Stephen Saum (B) Mr Gerard Noswoski (B)
B = Arhdiocese of Birmingham S = Diocese of Shrewsbury M = Diocese of Menevia
