HOMEPAGE for this issue: December 8, 2010 Download PDF Version

Former Anglican minister makes Catholic vows

Dennis Garrou becomes first former Anglican minister ordained to diaconate in Denver Archdiocese

EVERGREEN—The Archdiocese of Denver on Dec. 3 ordained its first married former Anglican pastor as deacon as a step toward his eventual priesthood ordination.

“He will be the first married priest to be ordained in the Archdiocese of Denver,” said Auxiliary Bishop James D. Conley, the ordaining prelate.

Deacon Dennis Garrou of Evergreen, a married father of three adult children and a chaplain at the Jefferson County Detention Center, is the first former Anglican minister to be ordained to the diaconate in the archdiocese under the Pastoral Provision first created in 1980 by Pope John Paul II. Since the provision, described by Church leaders as one that reaches out to former Anglican and Episcopal pastors, there have been more than 70 such ordinations in the United States.

“I think it’s the beginning of the realization of Pope John Paul II’s dream for unification of the Christian churches,” said Deacon David Luksch of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Boulder.

Deacon Luksch works with Deacon Garrou at the Jefferson County Detention Center, where the newly ordained deacon ministers as chaplain.

“Henry VIII didn’t change the Catholic Church—he just took over,” Deacon Luksch said. “I hope one day the entire Anglican community will come into communion at once.” 

A crowd of nearly 100 gathered at Christ the King Church in Evergreen for the ordination Mass and reception after.

“I had a deep sense of God’s peace,” Deacon Garrou said afterward. “As the litany of saints was prayed over me, I had the sense of the fullness of the body of Christ present.”

Bishop Conley, also a convert to Catholicism, received the former Anglican cleric into the Church in 2008. He said it was necessary to obtain a dispensation from the promise of celibacy directly from Pope Benedict XVI in order for the ordination to go forward. Bishop Conley said Deacon Garrou is on track to be ordained as a priest in May.  

“He has a tremendous academic background in theology and study of the sacred Scriptures,” Bishop Conley said during his homily. “As a hospital chaplain, as a jail chaplain, as a founder of two churches in Colorado, as an Episcopalian minister ... he’ll bring all that (experience) to the Archdiocese of Denver.

“It’s a natural fit,” he said.

Deacon Garrou will remain a jail chaplain in addition to his diaconal ministry at Christ the King Parish.

After his conversion to the Catholic faith in 2008, he underwent intensive studies toward the diaconate. 

“The people, the clergy, the laity God put around me in the process was a tremendous grace to carry me through it,” he said.

“Our parish as a whole sees the example of commitment Dennis exemplifies,” said Maria Camp, a member of Christ the King since 1991. “I’ve had long conversations with Dennis about his faith and his journey he described as gradually getting closer and closer to the universal Church.”

Deacon Garrou’s son, Jon, said it was his father’s passion that led him through to the step of diaconal ordination.

“He has put a lot of effort into the process to bring this to fruition,” he said.

Bishop Conley wrote in the Denver Catholic Register last week that: “Those who are ordained Catholic priests under the Pastoral Provision cannot normally be given the ordinary care of souls, but rather are to be entrusted with administrative, social or educational work. In other words, they cannot be named pastors of parishes, which is reserved for the celibate priesthood. 

“The Holy See has made it clear that this exception is in no way a proving ground for optional celibacy in the Catholic Church,” he emphasized. “The promise of celibacy made by a priest is a sign of the kingdom of heaven and it frees a man in a unique way for pastoral ministry and the salvation of souls.”