Back on Jan. 4, 2009, my column focused on the fact that the Diocese of Norwich, which covers roughly the eastern half of Connecticut, had suspended its deacon program for about two years. This seemed odd to me given the priest shortage affecting the diocese and the Roman Catholic Church in the United States generally.

Nearly two years later, it's still suspended.

The New Testament refers to deacons in the early church, but they faded from the church hierarchy until revived by the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s. Deacons can give sermons, officiate at funerals, bless marriages, administer baptisms, and preside at prayer and worship services. They cannot celebrate Mass or hear confessions.

They must be men, but unlike priests, deacons can be married (though the church discourages remarriage if widowed).

It's easy to see why they can provide welcome help to overwhelmed priests.

Back at the start of 2009, Michael Strammiello, director of communications for the diocese and the spokesman for Bishop Michael Cote, said the bishop wanted "to discern the needs and challenges of the local church and how the diaconate can best contribute to helping meet those needs."

Occasionally questioned by readers or friends about what's up with the deacon program - I'm Catholic - I called Strammiello for the latest. Told it remained suspended, I asked why. In essence, he said the bishop is still discerning.

"Given the vital importance of the program, the bishop has exercised a deliberate, collaborative and thoughtful consideration path," Strammiello explained in a written response. "Our bishop is very close to this program and he will reset and reactivate the program according to his timing based on his holistic view of the diocese."

Far be it for me to tell a bishop how to do his job, but you would think if something is of "vital importance" you might discern a bit faster.

That column a couple of years back generated quite a few e-mails, some from men interested in beginning or completing their deacon training, others from priests who said they could sure use the help. The diocese has 77 parishes, but only 56 active deacons.

Many deacons have jobs outside the church. Some are paid through parish finances; others receive only reimbursements for expenses, if that.

Variations in how parishes utilize and compensate deacons were among the motivations for stopping and reassessing the program. Strammiello said the diocese is going through significant changes, including restructuring and merging parishes. The goal is to develop the role of the deacon ministry in a way that complements the changing diocese, he said.

He rejected the speculation of some of those who e-mailed me that the bishop, focused on attracting men to the priesthood, is not eager to give attention to an alternative vocation that allows marriage and a family life. The vocations, he said, are not exclusive of one another. Both are important.

The Catholic Church has a reputation for slow change. But it's hard to understand how it can take this long to get a needed vocation back up and operating. I expect to get a few more e-mails about it.

Paul Choiniere is the editorial page editor.