David Compton

David Compton, who lives in Aughadown, west of Skibbereen, County Cork, in the Ballydehob Union of Parishes is to be made a Deacon today in an Ordination Service  presided over by the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Dr Paul Colton, in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral at 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.

David is a native of Atlanta, Georgia in the USA and is a proud citizen of his adopted country, Ireland.  Before this David has been a financial journalist and book editor and a New York Times bestselling author, following a career in marketing and strategy with several multinationals in the food and pharmaceutical sectors.  He has been involved in lay ministry in the Church for over thirty years, and has a special interest in pastoral care, prayer life, spirituality, Christian education, music and liturgy.

What is a Deacon?  The Book of Common Prayer sets out the answer clearly:

Deacons in the Church of God serve in the name of Christ, and so remind the whole Church that serving others is at the heart of all ministry.

Deacons have a special responsibility to ensure that those in need are cared for with compassion and humility. They are to strengthen the faithful, search out the careless and the indifferent, and minister to the sick, the needy, the poor and those in trouble.

When called upon to do so, they may baptize, preach and give instruction in the faith.

Deacons assist the bishop and priest under whom they serve. When the people are gathered for worship, deacons are authorized to read the Gospel, lead the people in intercession, and distribute the bread and wine of Holy Communion.