Deacon William Harkins appointed as chancellor

June 26, 2023

By ROB HERBST
The Catholic Week
MOBILE – Deacon Ronnie Hathorne has served admirably as Archdiocese of Mobile chancellor as well as the director of the archdiocesan permanent diaconate program.
But as the permanent diaconate program continues to grow under his leadership, Deacon Hathorne said he felt he had to relinquish one role. Therefore, Deacon Hathorne will step down as chancellor. Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi has appointed Deacon William Harkins to the role, effective Aug. 1.
Deacon Hathorne will continue as director of the permanent diaconate and serve at St. Joseph Parish – Maysville. Deacon Harkins will continue as associate judge of the Metropolitan Tribunal and at St. Ignatius Parish in Mobile.
Deacon Hathorne has served as permanent diaconate director since 2013 and as chancellor since 2017.
“I was torn in my decision,” Deacon Hathorne admitted. “Simultaneously serving in both positions has been both very satisfying and challenging at the same time. … However, I am very, very thankful that Archbishop Rodi trusted me with such a great opportunity to serve simultaneously in both positions. I am forever grateful for his trust in me and his tremendous support.”
While Deacon Hathorne has served for 10 years as director of the permanent diaconate, this is the first time his office has organized a Hispanic Diaconate Formation program. Separate classes for diaconate class cohorts begin in August for both primarily English speaking men and primarily Spanish speaking men.
A total of 19 men are currently candidates for the permanent diaconate.
“It was important that I step down now, due to the need for a greater involvement of my time with the Hispanic Cohort, which will start Aug 6. And I feel a great need to spend more time with my family and assist more in my parish.”
Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi added: “While I am disappointed by Deacon Hathorne’s request to step down as chancellor, I fully understand it and understand his desire to focus on the permanent diaconate and our first Hispanic Cohort in the Archdiocese of Mobile. I am also very thankful for his service as chancellor. He has been an excellent chancellor and I am delighted to see the permanent diaconate program continue to expand under his leadership.
“I am also thankful for Deacon Harkins and am confident in his abilities to serve as chancellor.”
By Code of Canon Law, every diocese is required to have an appointed chancellor and the chancellor may be either a member of the clergy or laity. The chancellor is the ecclesial notary for documents and decrees. The chancellor then ensures the record is preserved.
Deacon Harkins is celebrating the 10^th anniversary of his ordination to the permanent diaconate. He has worked in the Metropolitan Tribunal since 2021 and serves currently as an associate judge. He received his Licentiate in Canon Law from the Catholic University of America.
Deacon Harkins also teaches classes for the diaconate formation program and will continue to assist as needed. He is a longtime Mobile resident, having graduated from St. Dominic Catholic School. He also received a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Alabama and Master’s Degrees from the University of Oklahoma and Spring Hill College. Deacon Harkins also had a distinguished career in the United States Marine Corps – having graduated in 1983 before retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 2006.
“I am honored to be appointed by Archbishop Rodi to succeed Deacon Ronnie Hathorne as Chancellor for the Archdiocese of Mobile,” Deacon Harkins said. “Deacon Ronnie does so much for the Archdiocese; he is a close friend and brother. I have been honored to work with him in the formation of a few Deacon Candidate classes over the years and am impressed with his dedication to serving others. He is a model deacon.

“I greatly appreciate the Archbishop’s confidence in me by providing me this opportunity and I look forward to working closely with the staff who make up the Archdiocesan Curia. I thank God for His countless blessings, and especially the blessing of my family who continue to support me, as they have wherever I have been called to serve.”