DETROIT — When viewed from the perspective of Church history, the renewal of the permanent diaconate in the Western Church is “still in its toddler stage,” said Deacon Michael McKale.

Deacon McKale, 69, is retiring at the end of June as the archdiocesan Office of Clergy and Consecrated Life’s associate director for permanent deacons, but intends to remain active in his own diaconal assignment at Holy Name Parish in Birmingham.

Back in his Chancery Building office after undergoing open-heart surgery several weeks ago, Deacon McKale said the understanding of the role of permanent deacons in today’s Church is developing.

“Most of the bishops who attended Vatican II and who personally heard the discussion of around 100 topics on the permanent diaconate are no longer alive, and most of the bishops who replaced them are not acquainted with the intention of the earlier bishops concerning the renewal of the permanent diaconate,” he said.

While originally the main thrust of diaconal ministry was to be in the area of charity, Deacon McKale said deacons now often find themselves more concerned with parish duties as a result of the priest shortage. In many dioceses, he said, deacons are being named parish life coordinators.

“In this position, the deacon runs the day-to-day activities of a parish and a priest comes in on the weekend for sacramental purposes. Although it is not clear how deacons will be used in the future, it is obvious that it was the work of the Holy Spirit in renewing the order of deacons in the Catholic Church,” Deacon McKale said.

Since 2006, Deacon McKale has served as associate director of the permanent diaconate in the archdiocese, a position he has found “very rewarding.” He said he was grateful to Cardinal Adam J. Maida and to Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron for the opportunity to serve the deacons of the archdiocese and their wives.

It was “particularly interesting and gratifying” to see the change in both the men and their wives from the time they first enter the deacon formation process until the man is ordained, he said.

“There is no doubt that the studies and the formation draw a husband and wife closer together. They then begin to pray together and their lives become transformed. They all develop a deep desire to serve the Church and a deep fraternity with their brothers and sisters in the diaconate,” Deacon McKale said.

The formation program for permanent deacons in the Archdiocese of Detroit is one of the premiere programs in the United States, he added, and those who complete the program are well prepared to serve.

With his full-time duties ending, Deacon McKale looks forward to traveling with his wife, Joyce, and continuing his parish duties.

Conducting the early-morning men’s Bible study group that meets at 6:30 a.m. Wednesdays and another group that discusses current events and problems in the light of Church teaching at 6:30 a.m. on Fridays are among the most rewarding parts of that ministry, he said.

“They have to be for men only, because if women are present, men don’t talk, or at least don’t to the depth that these guys do,” he said.

Deacon McKale said the groups had borne considerable fruit, with many of the participants becoming active in Christian service ministries or teaching religious education classes.

“Because they have been successful in their professional lives, they understand that they’re called to give back. They develop a very active prayer life, and the Catholic religion is vital to them.

“They’re not just practicing it on Sundays,” he added.