Diaconate Policy, Program and Ongoing Formation
The diaconate was established at the time of the apostles. In the early Church some men were called to become deacons, ordained ministers who served the people of God under the direction of the Bishop.
Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 6 tells of the selection of seven deacons, among them, Stephen, to serve the ordinary tasks of charity and the laying on of hands which gave them ministerial powers. Chapter 7 tells us about Stephen's great wisdom and testimony and martyrdom.
The word "deacon" comes from the Greek diakonos meaning servant. Deacons serve as ministers of the Word, the liturgy and charity. Their liturgical vestment, the stole is worn over the left shoulder only, symbolically leaving the right arm free for service.
The Western Church lost the permanent diaconate in the first millennium while the Eastern Church didn't. In 1967, Pope Paul VI issued an official letter to the Church restoring the permanent diaconate while retaining the transitional diaconate before the priesthood.
What are Deacons?
Pope Paul VI described deacons as "the animators of the Church's servant-character." This servant ideal was given by Jesus at the Last Supper: "So, if I, your Lord and teacher have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have set you an example that you also should do as I have done to you" (John 13.14-15).
Paul's Philippians hymn told us Jesus "emptied himself taking the form of a slave" (2.6-7). Following Jesus' example, we are to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 13.14). How empowering it is for deacons to be called "animators of the Church's servant-character" and to be servant-leaders!
Deacons are ordained clergy. They serve by assisting the priest. At Mass, they read the Gospel at Mass and preach.
They announce the intercessory prayers at mass and identify the needs of the community.
Deacons are ordinary ministers of Communion and are proper ministers of the cup. They purify the vessels after Communion.
Deacons are ordinary ministers of Baptism. Laity can administer the simple form of Baptism but deacons and priests are ordinary ministers of the full official rites of Baptism.
Deacons preside at funerals and weddings where there is no Mass. They lead services such as Benediction, Liturgies of the Word, Morning and Evening Prayer. Deacons may give blessings in the name of the Church. They may serve as parish administrators or in other diocesan positions.
Deacons exercise the service of charity according to community needs and their own gifts and time.
There are two types of Deacon.
"Transitional deacons" are men who are serving as deacons for a short time before they become ordained as priests. They are clergy and unmarried celibates who will remain single during their ministry of priesthood in the Church.
"Permanent deacons" are single or married men who do not intend to be ordained as priests but wish to serve the Church permanently as deacons. Permanent deacons normally continue their employment and they are not compensated monetarily by the Church. Their first duty remains to their family and their employment. Permanent deacons minister to the needy and sick, to the elderly and shut-ins, to mentally or physically disabled, in homes, hospitals, prisons and on the streets. They often identify needs, initiate programs and train parishioners for charitable ministries. They also lead parish education programs such as RCIA or sacramental preparation.
1 Timothy 3.8-13, sets out the qualities required of all deacons and their households.
"8 Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not greedy for money; 9 they must hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let them first be tested; then, if they prove themselves blameless, let them serve as deacons. 11 Women likewise must be serious, not slanderers, but temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be married only once, and let them manage their children and their households well;13 for those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus."
Therefore, deacons must undertake several part-time years of formation and instruction in scripture, theology, preaching, evangelization, counselling and pastoral care. Deacons' wives also participate in the training and in the ministries.
Deacons are appointed to parishes by the bishop and serve under a pastor's supervision. Their proper title of address is "Deacon," not "Father." The sign of a deacon is a stole worn sideways or a cross with a stole across it.
Deacons may not celebrate Mass, hear Confession, give absolution or anoint the sick which often includes confession and absolution. However, they are obliged to recite the Divine Office every day.
In short, a deacon is a sacramental sign of "Christ the servant" alive in the ministry of the Church today.
POLICY
National Directory for the Ministry, Formation and Life of Permanent Deacons in Canada