186 delegates from 26 countries – a time to share, a time to learn. Four continents were represented, with delegates from North and South America, many African countries, India and most European countries, with a special mention of a group of Lutheran Deaconesses from Finland.

The theme of this year’s conference was “Diaconal Spirituality Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” This theme was worked out in presentations from various speakers and in workshop sessions. The keynote speaker was Cardinal Wilfred Fox Napier OFM, from Durban, South Africa, a truly charismatic man in the spirit of St Francis, whose presentation was entitled “Spirituality as a source of strength as we face global challenges.” An Indian priest spoke on “The Church in India and the Permanent Diaconate – a challenge for the Church and for India’s inter-religious dialogue.” It soon became clear that the Diaconate is in its infancy in India, but the speaker, charged with introducing the Diaconate into Dioceses around Mumbai (Bombay) spoke with enthusiasm of an encouraging start.

Perhaps most information from the point of view of learning about the Diaconate in other countries was gleaned in the workshop sessions. We were asked in advance to choose from a list of workshops we would like to join. Some were put in their chosen group – I was not, but no matter. The first session was simply about sharing diaconal life in our home countries, what we are doing in our dioceses and parishes. With deacons from many European countries as well as South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Basutoland, India and Canada, we all learnt what a contrast there is in the way the Diaconate works and is accepted in different parts of the world!

The Conference closed with High Mass in Vienna Cathedral at which the principal celebrant was the delightful Cardinal Christoph Schönborn who came and spoke personally to each of the deacons waiting in the Sacristy – he particularly asked kindly after the health of Archbishop Kevin. After the official end of the Conference our ‘Cultural Tour’ took us to the monastry at Steiff (where the CD ‘Cantata’ was recorded.) The monks had delayed their office of ‘None’ until our arrival so that we could join them. During the tour that followed the young monk who was our guide stopped at the richly decorated choir stalls and asked us if we knew why they were called ‘stalls’. He informed us it came from agriculture – just as cattle in their stalls ruminate on their food, so the monks in the choir stalls ruminate on their food – the word of God. Now there’s a thought!

Rev. Roger Evans is a deacon of the Archdiocese of Southwark.