Deacons

Permanent Diaconate

Order of Deacons
Liverpool Archdiocesan Office
Croxteth Drive
Liverpool
L17 1AA

Telephone: 0151 522 1042
Email: diaconate@rcaol.org.uk

Director for the Permanent Diaconate
Rev Canon Christopher Fallon MA PhD VF
Email: c.fallon@rcaolp.org.uk

Assistant Director for the Permanent Diaconate
Rev Paul Rooney

Who are our deacons?

Jesus described himself as the one who had come not to be served but to serve and to give his life for others. In the early days of the Church, a three-fold pattern of ministry emerged - bishops, priests and deacons working together to carry out the mission Jesus gave to his followers, preaching the Good News and serving those in need.

The deacons were especially associated with serving the poor and the vulnerable and with administering the Church’s goods so that the needs of all were met.

Over the centuries, their distinctive ministry fell into disuse until the Second Vatican Council called for it be restored and permanent deacons were ordained from 1968 onwards. In Liverpool, since 1979, more than 100 permanent deacons have been ordained to work with the bishops and priests. They are mature men aged over 35, most of them married and in secular employment or retired. A few are paid in diocesan roles or as chaplains in hospitals, prisons or schools.

What do deacons do?

Deacons are ministers of the Word, the altar and service.

Ministry of the Word

Deacons proclaim the Good News of the Gospel by their words and by the example of their lives. They help others to know Jesus through catechesis, prayer and study of the Scriptures.

Ministry of the Altar

Deacons assist the bishop and the priests in the celebration of the Mass, preside at Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals and lead communities in other liturgical services.

Ministry of Service

Deacons are ordained to be the sign and the driving force of the Church’s service of the world, especially of those who are poor, sick, vulnerable or marginalized. They inspire and co-ordinate the ministry of all the members of the Church who work for a more just and generous society.

How does someone become a deacon?

Every baptised member of the Church has a vocation to follow Jesus and to work for the growth of his kingdom. There are many different vocations in the Church and we all need help to find our own. Vocations to ordained ministry have to be discerned both by the individual and by the Church. Men who feel called to the diaconate enter a process of prayer and discernment which involves a formal application and assessment. Those invited by the bishop enter a preliminary year of discernment and formation, followed by three years of human, academic, spiritual and pastoral formation. This part-time programme involves residential weekends run by the Northern Diaconal Training Partnership at Hinsley Hall in Leeds, an online programme in partnership with Loyola University Chicago and study days and practical placements in the diocese. Prayer and spiritual direction are integral to the process of discernment.

Is God calling you to the diaconate?

Are you a Catholic single or married man aged 30 plus and preferably below the age of 60?

Are you committed to exploring what God is asking of you in your life?

Are you actively engaged in the mission of your parish?

Do you have a desire to engage in the Church’s service of the world?

Are you prepared to work for justice for the poor, the vulnerable and the marginalized in society?

Do you have good communication skills and experience in working with others?

'I invite men who believe they may be called to service as deacons in the Church to pray for guidance. If they are married, they should consult with their wives as well as talking to their local priest or deacon. I ask everyone to pray for those who are considering this vocation to proclaim the Word faithfully, reverently serve the liturgy and joyfully care for the poor.'

Most Rev Malcolm McMahon OP

If you would like to find out more information or have a chat about the diaconate, please contact us using the details above.

Diaconate Directory

Below is a list of our deacons containing their contact details, parish of appointment and year of ordination.

A

Abbott, Noel 15 Haroldene Grove, Prescot L34 1PY
Tel 0151 449 2212 Email abbot@lineone.net Metropolitan Cathedral (1993)

Adams, Geoffrey 101 Roxburgh Street, Walton, Liverpool L4 3SZ

Tel 0151 284 6039 St Sylvester, Liverpool (2014)

Alger, Desmond (rtd) 35 Marlborough Court, Ashurst, Skelmersdale WN8 6SS

Tel 01695 227 289 (1999)

Anderson, Vincent (rtd) 6 Willoughby Drive, Eccleston Hill, St Helens WA10 3AY

Tel 01744 758 088 Our Lady, Portico (1994)

Anwyl, Adrian 84 Childwall Park Avenue, Liverpool L16 0JQ

Tel 0151 722 0667 Christ the King & Our Lady, Childwall (2013)

Appleyard, J Grahame (rtd) 58 Westhaven Crescent, Aughton, Ormskirk L39 5BW

Tel 01695 422 627 St Mary, Aughton (1993)

Armstrong, James (rtd) 32 Denebank Road, Anfield, Liverpool L4 2SY

Tel 0151 263 8335 (1995)

Arrowsmith, Norman 2 Meadowlands, Charnock Richard, Chorley PR7 5RX

Tel 01257 792 087 St Mary, Chorley (2010)

B

Ball, William 44 Dunster Road, Southport PR8 3AQ
Tel 01704 567 788 Our Lady of Lourdes & St Joseph, St Teresa, Southport (1984)

Barr, Peter 2 Pimblett Road, Haydock, St Helens WA11 0PZ

Tel 01942 715 298 English Martyrs, Haydock (2003)

Bennett, David (rtd) 4 Brookfield, Parbold, Wigan WN8 7JJ

Tel 01257 462 998 (1989)

Bill, Desmond c/o Archdiocesan Office, Croxteth Drive, Liverpool L17 1AA

Tel 0151 522 1042 St Anne, Ormskirk (1995)

Birchall, Michael 6 Rhodes Street, Orford, Warrington WA2 7QE

Tel 01925 650 370 Blessed James Bell, Warrington (2009)

Blinston, Paul 7 Argyll Street, Wigan WN5 9BG
Tel 01942 321 146 St Oswald & St Edmund Arrowsmith, Ashton-in-Makerfield (2004)

Bowman, Francis 20 Calderstones Road, Liverpool L18 6HS

Tel 0151 724 4937 St Anne & St Bernard, Liverpool (2002)

Boyle, David 5 Brathay Close, Orford, Warrington WA2 9UY

Tel 01925 417 470 Blessed James Bell, Warrington (2009)

Breen, Kenneth (rtd) 20 Gower Gardens, Burscough, Ormskirk L40 5SP

Tel 01704 893 709 St John the Evangelist, Burscough (1982)

Burke, Ronald 25 Hurlingham Road, Walton, Liverpool L4 9SP

Tel 0151 476 8533 St Matthew, Clubmoor (2014)

Byrne, James 4 Renwick Square, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan WN4 9NF

Tel 01942 203 133 St Oswald & St Edmund Arrowsmith, Ashton-in-Makerfield (2016)

C

Caldwell, David 32 Abberley Close, St Helens WA10 2AZ

Tel 01744 733 587 St Mary, Lowe House, St Helens (1998)

Callaghan, Anthony 72 Lindens, Skelmersdale WN8 6TL

Tel 01695 732 359 St Richard, Skelmersdale (2007)

Cardy, James 56 Melrose Drive, Winstanley, Wigan WN3 6EG

Tel 01942 214 818 St Aidan, Wigan (1992)

Cawley, Edward 268 Utting Avenue, Liverpool L4 8SY

Tel 0151 226 0629 St Matthew, Clubmoor (2010)

Cave, Anthony 18 Tilston Close, Liverpool L9 6DZ
Tel 07852 267 627 St Sylvester, Liverpool + PA; St Mary's Catholic High School, Leyland (2020)

Chegwin, John (rtd) 51 Vaux Crescent, Bootle L20 0AP

Tel 0151 922 4917 St Monica & St Richard, Bootle (1993)

Collins, Paul (rtd) 1 Kensington Road, Formby, Liverpool L37 6EL

Tel 01704 875 183 (1988)

Cooper, Paul 71 Newbridge Close, Warrington WA5 9EA

Tel 01925 232 257 Sacred Heart & St Alban, Warrington (2005)

Crooks, John (rtd) 18 Brooks Road, Formby, Liverpool L37 2JL

Tel 01704 871 364 (1996)

Crowther, Stephen (rtd) 6 Sefton Drive, Maghull, Merseyside L31 8AQ

Tel 0151 526 6434 St George, Maghull (2006)

Cummings, William (rtd) 28 Merton Drive, Huyton, Liverpool L36 4NS

Tel 0151 289 3586 St Margaret Mary, Liverpool (1997)

Cunliffe, T Malcolm 1 Cranbrook Avenue, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan WN4 9QX

Tel 01942 725 522 Our Lady, Bryn (2002)

D

Davies, James 248 St Helens Road, Eccleston Park, Prescot L34 2QH

Tel 0151 426 4312 Our Lady, Portico (2014)

Diggory, Ernest (rtd) Rannoch, 72 Seafield Avenue, Crosby, Liverpool L23 0TQ

Tel 0151 924 1854 SS Peter & Paul, Crosby (2003)

Dolan, Terence 7 Charminster Close, Warrington WA5 1JY

Tel 01925 492 857 Sacred Heart & St Alban, Warrington (2005)

Douglas, W Edward (rtd) 12 St Andrews Drive, Blundellsands, Liverpool L23 7UX

Tel 0151 924 4609 St Helen, Crosby (2004)

Downes, Anthony c/o Archdiocesan Office, Croxteth Drive, Liverpool L17 1AA

Tel 0151 522 1042 Christ the King & Our Lady (2018)

Duffy, Kevin 1 Chapel View, Crank, St Helens WA11 7SJ

Tel 01744 882157 Corpus Christi, Rainford (2013)

Dunn, Kevin 8 Westbrook Avenue, Prescot L34 1NU

Tel 0151 493 0817 St Aloysius, Roby (2002)

F

Farrell, Paul (rtd) 8 Haslington Grove, Halewood, Liverpool L26 9YL

Tel 07944 737 608 (1999)

Fishwick, Gerard Cobweb Cottage, Pincock, Euxton, Chorley PR7 6LR

Tel 01257 261711 St Mary, Euxton (2006)

Fletcher, Malcolm 7 The Greenway, Knotty Ash, Liverpool L12 3HP

Tel 0151 259 4875 Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs, & St Swithin, Croxteth (2006)

Fox, Terence 22 Barrows Green Lane, Widnes WA8 3JR

Tel 0151 424 0277 St Wilfrid, Widnes (2001)

G

Gilbertson, Simon 12 Hartington Road, Brinscall, Chorley PR6 8RG

Tel 01254 832031 (2004)

H

Hamer, George c/o Archdiocesan Office, Croxteth Drive, Liverpool L17 1AA

Tel 0151 522 1042 HMP Altcourse Chaplain (2004)

Hegarty, Charles 5 Montgomery Road, Liverpool L9 8DG

Tel 0151 525 0069 Blessed Sacrament, Aintree (2006)

Heneghan, Peter (rtd) 22 Woodville Street, St Helens WA10 1EX

Tel 01744 608 113 (1999)

Hewertson, Robert 79 Green Avenue, Astley, Manchester M29 7FF

Tel 01942 747173 St Margaret Clitherow, Leigh (2000)

Holding, Kenneth 96 Swan Lane, Hindley Green, Wigan WN2 4HD

Tel 01942 255 834 Sacred Heart, Hindley Green (1999)

Houseby, Christopher 30 Partridge Close, Liverpool L12 0SQ

Tel 0151 548 1059 Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs, & St Swithin, Croxteth (2018)

J

Johnson, Anthony 33 Princes Avenue, Crosby, Liverpool L23 5RR

Tel 0151 924 3543 SS Peter & Paul, Crosby (1999)

Juhász, Gergely 101 Taggart Avenue, Childwall, Liverpool L16 9JA

Tel 0151 722 7865 Our Lady of the Annunciation, Bishop Eton; St Mary, Woolton + PA; Liverpool Hope University (2019)

K

Keeley, John 18 Gipsy Lane, Liverpool L18 3HL
Tel 0151 737 1588 Our Lady of the Annunciation, Bishop Eton (1987)

Kerrigan, Anthony 61 Anderson Close, Padgate, Warrington WA2 0PQ

Tel (01925) 811446 Blessed James Bell, Warrington (2004)

L

Lukose, Anil 44 Barnsley Street, Wigan WN6 7JA

Tel 01942 200 467 St Edward, Wigan (2018)

M

McCarthy, John 9 Granton Close, Formby, Liverpool L37 3PH
Tel 01704 831 266 Our Lady of Compassion, Formby + PA (2020)

McClure, John 8 Roby Grove, Great Sankey, Warrington WA5 1RW

Tel 01925 723 146 St Joseph, Penketh (1987)

McGeoch, John (rtd) 26 Church Road, Liverpool L13 2BA
Tel 0151 220 2129 St Oswald, Old Swan (1990)

McGraw, James 149 Hillock Lane, Woolston, Warrington WA1 4PJ

Tel 01925 812 842 St Peter & St Michael, Woolston (2008)

McGunigle, Joseph 31 Zigzag Road, West Derby, Liverpool L12 9EQ

Tel 0151 254 1738 St Paul, West Derby (2002)

McKillop, Donagh 10 Birchtree Court, West Derby, Liverpool L12 7LW

Tel 0151 256 1174 St Teresa, Norris Green (2000)

McLoughlin, John (rtd) 17 Olga Road, St Helens WA9 3TB

Tel 01744 813 631 St Anne & Blessed Dominic, St Helens (2007)

McNicholas, Leo (rtd) The Larches, Gill Lane, Longton, Preston PR4 4SS

Tel 01772 612 838 St Oswald, Longton (1979)

McNicholl, Paul 1 Alston Road, Liverpool L17 6BA
Tel 0151 427 2850 St Charles & St Thomas More, Aigburth (1988)

Mannings, Paul ChLJ 32 North Sudley Road, Aigburth, Liverpool L17 0BG

Tel 0151 727 2749 Email p.mannings@rcaol.co.uk Metropolitan Cathedral (2008)

Mawtus, Peter 144 Redgate, Ormskirk L39 3NY
Tel 01695 577 509 St Anne, Ormskirk + PA (2019)

Mitchinson, Jeremy 19 Glendyke Road, Liverpool L18 9TD

Tel 0151 724 4095 St Charles & St Thomas More, Aigburth (2007)

Moffatt, Michael 20 Norfolk Street, Springfield, Wigan WN6 7BJ

Tel 01942 700 459 St Edward, Wigan + PA (2019)

Moore, K Roy (rtd) 11 Ennerdale Avenue, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan WN4 8BA

Tel 01942 201 693 St Wilfrid, Ashton-in-Makerfield (2002)

Moreland, Joseph KCHS 5 Greenloons Walk, Formby, Liverpool L37 2LE

Tel 01704 832 064 St Jerome, Formby (1999)

Morgan, Joseph 25 Whiston Lane, Huyton, Liverpool L36 1TX

Tel 0151 489 2578 St Aidan of Lindisfarne, Huyton (2016)

Morris, Derek 14 Chestnut Drive, Leigh WN7 3JW
Tel 01942 678 114 1997 St Catherine of Siena & All Saints, Golborne (1997)

Murphy, John MBE (rtd) 33 Galloway Road, Waterloo, Liverpool L22 4QX

Tel 0151 920 6881 (1979)

O

O’Brien, John 51 Ashton Heath, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan WN4 9JL

Tel 01942 725 752 St Oswald, Ashton-in-Makerfield (1994)

O’Donovan, Sean 51 Rudston Road, Childwall, Liverpool L16 4PG

Tel 0151 722 4599 Christ the King & Our Lady, Childwall (2013)

Oxley, Michael 40 Fairfield Gardens, Stockton Heath, Warrington WA4 2BX

Tel 01925 266 939 Blessed James Bell, Warrington (2008)

P

Power, John 19 Staphehill Close, Liverpool L13 5RR
Tel 0151 252 0467 St Oswald, Old Swan; St Sebastian, Fairfield + PA

Priest, Graham BEM Lower Strenaby, Abbeylands, Isle of Man IM4 5EF

Tel 07624 495 704 St Mary, Douglas; St Anthony, Onchan; St Joseph, Willaston (2005)

R

Rigby, Bernard 257 Hunts Cross Avenue, Liverpool L25 9ND

Tel 0151 428 9133 St Mary, Woolton (2008)

Rooney, Paul St Austin's Presbytery, Heath Street, Thatto Heath, St Helens, WA9 5NN

Tel 01744 812 115 St Bartholomew, Rainhill; St Austin, Thatto Heath, St Teresa, Devon Street + PA, Liverpool Hope University (2019)

S

Simms, Thomas 56 Freckleton Road, St Helens WA10 3AP

Tel 01744 757 298 Our Lady, Portico (2014)

Smith, Bernard (rtd) 2 Fawley Road, Rainhill, Prescot L35 6PL

Tel 0151 426 7925 St Bartholomew, Rainhill (1997)

Smith, Robert 45 Carr Lane, Wigan WN3 5NL
Tel 01942 231 459 St Jude, Wigan (2001)

Swift, Michael 3 Hawes Crescent, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan WN4 8BW

Tel 01942 715 177 Holy Family, Platt Bridge (2008)

T

Traynor, John 35 Stockdale Drive, Whittle Hall, Warrington WA5 3RU

Tel 01925 714 323 St Joseph, Penketh (1995)

Taylor, Kevin 22 Clare Close, St Helens WA9 5HS

Tel 01744 817 141 St Austin, Thatto Heath (2006)

V

Vint, Dennis 33 Urmston Street, Leigh WN7 4SW
Tel 01942 746 217 St Edmund Arrowsmith, Leigh (1997)

W

Whelan, Anthony 72 Mossbrow Road, Huyton, Liverpool L36 7SW

Tel 0151 480 0736 St Dominic, Huyton (1998)

Whelan, Michael 5 Adswood Road, Huyton, Liverpool L36 7XN

Tel 0151 289 0502 St Aidan, Huyton (1998)

Whitehead, Paul 2 Grassendale Road, Liverpool L19 0NA

Tel 0151 427 3387 St Wilfrid, South Liverpool (1996)

Worden, Bernard (rtd) 112 Holden Road, Leigh WN7 1EX

Tel 01942 706 768 (1988)

Wright, F Herbert (rtd) 333 Walkers Lane, Sutton Manor, St Helens WA9 4AQ

Tel 01744 812 491 (1997)