Basic Norms for the Formation of Permanent Deacons

by Catholic Church, Congregation for the Clergy

From the Congregation for Catholic Education and the Congregation for the Clergy.

142 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity. The Catholic Church is among the oldest institutions in the world and has played a prominent role in the history of Western civilisation. It teaches that it is the church founded by Jesus Christ, that its bishops are the successors of Christ's apostles and that the Pope is the successor to Saint Peter. Catholic doctrine maintains that the Church is infallible when it dogmatically teaches a doctrine of faith or morals. Catholic worship is centred on the Eucharist in which the Church teaches bread and wine are supernaturally transubstantiated into the body and blood of Christ. The Church holds the Blessed Virgin Mary in special regard. Catholic beliefs concerning Mary include her Immaculate Conception and bodily Assumption at the end of her earthly life.

Reviews

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

TWO IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS, WITH SUPPLMENTARY MATERIAL

The Joint Declaration which begins this 1998 book, “The permanent Diaconate, restored by the Second Vatican Council… has flourished in these last decades in many parts of the Church---with promising results, especially for the urgent missionary work of new evangelization… The growth of the permanent Diaconate… now gives rise to a need for a certain unity of direction and clarification of concepts, as well as for practical encouragement and more deeply clearly defined pastoral objectives. The total reality of the Diaconate… calls for a review of the journey thus far made, so as to arrive at a global vision of this grade of Sacred Orders corresponding to the desire and intention of the Second Vatican Council…” (Pg. 7)

“The documents produced here are intended as a response to a widely felt need to clarify and regulate the diversity of approaches adopted in experiments conducted up to now, whether at the level of discernment and training or at that of active ministry and ongoing formation. In this way it will be possible to ensure a certain stability of approach which take account of legitimate plurality and in turn guarantees that indispensable unity, necessary for the success of the ministry of the permanent Diaconate which has been fruitful and which… promises to make an important contribution to New Evangelization.” (Pg. 9-10)

The booklet continues, “The Secon Vatican Council established that ‘it will be possible for the future to restore the diaconate as a proper and permanent rank of the hierarchy… (and confer it) even upon married men… and also on suitable young men for whom, however, the law of celibacy must remain in force[… Three reasons lay behind this choice: (i) a desire to enrich the Church with the functions of the diaconate, which otherwise, n many regions, could only be exercises with great difficulty; (ii) the intention of strengthening with the grace of diaconal ordination those who already exercised many of the functions of the Diaconate; (iii) a concern to provide regions, where there was a shortage of clergy, with sacred ministers… the restoration of the permanent Diaconate weas in no manner intended to prejudice the meaning, role of flourishing of the ministerial priesthood, which must always be fostered because of its indispensability.” (Pg. 15)

The ‘Basic Norms’ document explains, “In the exercise of their power, deacons, since they share in a lower grade of ecclesiastical ministry, necessarily depend on the Bishops, who have the fulness of the sacrament of orders. In addition, they are placed by a special relationship with the priests, in communion with whom they are called to serve the People of God.” (Pg. 26)

It notes, “the man preparing for the diaconate ‘… is a necessary and irreplaceable agent in his own formation: all formation … is ultimately a self-formation.’ Self-formation does not imply isolation… but responsibility and dynamism in responding with generosity to God‘s call…” (Pg. 39)

It explains, “candidates must be free of irregularities and impediments.” The footnote explains, “The irregularities … are: 1) any form of insanity or other psychological infirmity… 2) the offenses of apostasy, heresy, or schism; 3) attempted marriage, even a civil marriage; 4) wilful homicide or actually procured abortion; 5) gave mutilation of self or others, and attempted suicide..” (Pg. 43)

It clarifies, “In the case of married men, care should be taken that only those are promoted to the diaconate who have lived as married man for a number of years and have shown themselves to be capable of running their own homes, and whose wives and children lead a truly Christan life and have good reputations.” (Pg. 44)

It advises, “care should be taken that the future deacons develop a strong missionary sensitivity. In fact, they too, in an analogous way to priests, receive with sacred obligation a spiritual gift which prepares them for a universal mission, to the ends of the earth…” (Pg. 69)

The ‘Directory’ states, “The specific vocation to the permanent Diaconate presupposes the stability of this Order. Hence ordination to the Priesthood of non-married or widowed deacons must always be a very rare exception, and only for special ad grave reasons.” (Pg. 77)

It says, “Active involvement in political parties or trades unions… may be permitted in particular circumstances … Deacons are strictly prohibited from all involvement with political parties or trades union movements which are founded in ideologies, policies or associations incompatible with Church doctrine.” (Pg. 83-84)

It asserts, “Married deacons should feel especially obliged to give clear witness to the sanctity of marriage and the family. The more they grow in mutual love, the greater their dedication to their children and the more significant their example for the Christian community.” (Pg. 124)

Later, it adds, “special courses and initiatives should be arranged for those deacons who are married. These courses should involve, where opportune, their wives and families. However, they must always b careful to maintain the essential distinction of roles and the clear independence of the ministry.” (Pg. 140)

This book will be of help to deacons, or those contemplating becoming one.

[Valentin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great source of information for any man called to the service for others in the Catholic church.