Via the Episcopal Digital Network:
The Association for Episcopal Deacons is saddened by the loss of Archdeacon Ormonde Plater, Diocese of Louisiana, to the worldwide diaconal community. Ormonde died Aug. 6, the Feast of the Transfiguration, after a long illness.
It would be hard to overestimate Ormonde’s contribution to the development of the Episcopal Church’s restoration of the distinctive diaconate in ordained ministry, and his theological leadership extended around the globe. …
Ormonde’s leadership extended to the creation of the organizational infrastructure needed for the renewed diaconate to prosper, as well. He was an early member of AED’s predecessor organization, the North American Association for the Diaconate, and he served faithfully on our board and as our president. In his last appearance at one of AED’s assemblies, he provided a sage and comprehensive overview of the history and development of the Episcopal Church’s diaconal movement. An early adopter of internet technologies, for over 20 years he has hosted the anglodeacons and archdeacons Yahoo groups, a modality of communications which has enabled deacons to communicate around the world and vastly expand their ability to collaborate in both diaconal action and in reflection on the renewed order.
The New Orleans Advocate obituary adds,
Ormonde was born on September 6, 1933, in New York City to Richard C. Plater, Jr. and Eleanore Leake. He graduated with a B.A. in English from Vanderbilt University in 1955. He received an M.A., in 1965, and a Ph.D. in English from Tulane University in 1969. Ormonde worked as a reporter for the Knickerbocker News in Albany, NY, and The Vieux Carré Courier in New Orleans and taught at the University of New Orleans. He was a co-owner of Acadia Plantation in Thibodaux. In 1971, Ormonde was ordained a deacon at St. Anna’s Episcopal Church. He devoted much of his life to the church and was a mentor to many during his time as a deacon. In 1998, he was appointed as Archdeacon by Bishop Charles Jenkins and served as director of the diaconate program, secretary of vocations, and secretary of the liturgy. Ormonde retired in 2007 but remained heavily involved in the church.
Visitation and Mass will take place this Saturday at St Anna’s Episcopal Church, New Orleans. Read the Association for Episcopal Deacons’ tribute to Ormonde Plater here.
Featured image via the Episcopal Digital Network