Bishop Jacques Fabre-Jeune, CS, will ordain 20 men to the permanent diaconate on Feb. 1, 2025. The ordination will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Charleston.

The current class is part of a consistently strong permanent diaconate program in the Diocese of Charleston.

Deacon Brian Justice, director of formation, said that ordination is the culmination of serious discernment “and a rigorous formation journey aimed at fully developing those called to the Office of Deacon by the Holy Spirit in human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral areas.”

“For five years, these men — accompanied by their wives and the prayerful support of their parishes — have been preparing to serve the Church through academic study, observation, mentoring and hands-on exercises,” he explained.

These years of preparation are provided by the diaconate program’s university partner, the diocese and the men’s parishes.

“Service to the Church as a deacon requires a strong theological foundation, liturgical prowess and the ability to provide a pastoral presence to the faithful in a great variety of circumstances,” Deacon Justice said.

Deacon Regi Armstrong, director of the Permanent Diaconate for the diocese, said that with the conferral of Holy Orders, they are ordained to the bishop but most will serve in a parish under the leadership of the pastor. 

“As deacons, they will serve the people of God in word, liturgy and charity,” he stated. “They will bring Christ into the workplace and into the community, while bringing the needs of both back to the Church. They will teach and preach, baptize children, prepare couples for marriage and witness the sacrament of holy matrimony.”

Additionally, deacons serve at vigil services, funerals and committals.

“They witness to the love of Christ in prisons and hospitals, at homeless shelters and soup kitchens and serve the poor and vulnerable in many other ways,” Deacon Armstrong said. “Most of all, we pray they will be humble servants of God and his Church in whatever he calls them to do.”

The candidates are:

Jody Armstrong
Wife: Mary, 2 children
Parish: St. Paul the Apostle, Spartanburg
Occupation: Coaching Manager/Senior Coach

Justin Barraco
Wife: Ellen, 1 child
Parish: St. Philip Neri, Fort Mill
Occupation: Director of Systems Engineering

Eric Bricco
Wife: Nichola, 2 children, 6 grandchildren
Parish: Our Lady of the Rosary, Greenville
Occupation: Senior Building Designer

Felipe Castillo
Wife: Elba, 2 children, 3 grandchildren
Parish: St. Michael the Archangel, Murrells Inlet
Occupation: Director of Hispanic Ministry & Outreach

Dan Crance
Wife: Sue, 3 children, 9 grandchildren
Parish: St. Theresa the Little Flower, Summerville
Occupation: Mortgage Broker

Daniel Dobay
Wife: Kasey, 1 child
Parish: St. Michael the Archangel, Murrells Inlet
Occupation: Religion Teacher

Calvin Duncan
Wife: Diane, 1 child
Parish: St. Anthony, Florence
Occupation: Teacher & Department Head

José Estevez
Wife: Maria, 2 children
Parish: St. Philip Neri, Fort Mill
Occupation: Director of Engineering

Hermes Florez
Wife: Sumaya, 3 children
Parish: Church of the Nativity, Charleston
Occupation: Endocrinologist

Enrique Hurtado
Wife: Debbie, 3 children, 3 grandchildren
Parish: Stella Maris, Sullivan’s Island
Occupation: Theology Teacher

Juan Londono
Wife: Lesly, 1 child
Parish: St. Mary Magdalene, Simpsonville
Occupation: Applications Engineer

Christopher Mathewes
Wife: Beth, 3 children
Parish: Holy Spirit, Johns Island
Occupation: Property Manager

Binh Nguyen-Davis
Wife: Mai, 2 children
Parish: Our Lady of Grace, Lancaster
Occupation: Senior Manager of Technical Operations

Thomas Provost
Wife: Karen, 7 children, 3 grandchildren
Parish: Divine Redeemer, Hanahan
Occupation: Electrical Contractor

Jesse Schuman
Wife: Jessica, 3 children
Parish: Divine Redeemer, Hanahan
Occupation: Senior Field Service Engineer

Kevin Seibert
Wife: Rebecca, 2 children
Parish: St. Joseph the Worker, Charleston
Occupation: Attorney

Jovan Simo
Wife: Maria
Parish: St. Mary Magdalene, Simpsonville
Occupation: IT/Systems Technician

Jeffrey Vehige
Wife: Monica, 4 Children
Parish: Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, Myrtle Beach
Occupation: Director of Discipleship

Ed Villalobos
Wife: Jeannie, 4 children
Parish: St. Gregory the Great, Bluffton
Occupation: Program Manager

Jerry White
Wife: Rhea, 3 children, 2 grandchildren
Parish: St. Joseph, Columbia
Occupation: Retired