FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS |
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What
is a Permanent Deacon? |
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The
terms "deacon" and "diaconate" derive from the Greek word diakonia
which means "service" or "ministry." A deacon, then, is ordained
by the Church for service. Deacons provide service in three ways:
- Service
of the Word -- this includes preaching, offering catechetical
instruction, spiritual counseling, instructing catechumens,
giving retreats, conducting parish renewal programs, and reaching
out to alienated Catholics
- Service
of the Altar -- Deacons' role in the Eucharist -- in addition
to proclaiming the Gospel and articulating the Church's needs
in the general intercessions -- is to prepare the gifts and
distribute communion at the Lord's table. Deacons may baptize
children or adults, witness marriages in the name of the Church,
bring Viaticum to the dying, and preside over wakes, funerals,
and burial services.
- Service
of Charity -- is as extensive as are human needs. Deacons
minister in prisons and in hospitals. They visit the homebound
and people in nursing homes. They serve the mentally ill,
the chemically dependent, the abused and the battered, the
old and the young, the abandoned, the dying and the bereaved,
immigrants and refugees and the victims of racial and ethnic
discrimination.
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Since
when has the Roman Catholic Church had deacons? |
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There
have been deacons throughout the history of the church. By the
time of St. Ignatius of Antioch (+c. 110) the Diaconate was a
firmly established order in the Church, along with the orders
of bishop and presbyter. There is evidence of deacons even before
that in the New Testament (Acts 14:23; 20:17ff; cf. Phil. 1:1;
I Pet. 2:25). If
you would like to learn more about the history of the Diaconate
call the Office of the Permanent Diaconate at (973) 497-4223
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Are
deacons married priests? |
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No,
the Diaconate is a separate order; they are ordained ministers,
but they are not considered Priests. |
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What
are the criteria to become a deacon? |
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Important
general criteria include an integral Christian faith, personal
integrity, maturity, holiness, regular participation in the Church's
sacramental life, and evidence of previous, respected commitment
to the Church's life and service and, for married candidates,
a stable family life. Candidates
must:
- Be
at least 31 years old and not over 60 at the start of formation
- If
married, have the consent of his wife in writing
- If
married and a parent, have children that are at least 5 years
old
- Be
recommended by their pastor
- Have
a high school diploma or equivalent
- Be
a citizen or a permanent resident of the US
- Have
a reasonable grasp of the English language
- Be
in good health
- Be
a resident of the Archdiocese of Newark, unless a waiver is
obtained from the Archbishop
- Show
evidence of participation in a parish for a period of 3 years
- Be
willing to serve the Archdiocese for a minimum of 3 years
- Have
no criminal record (felony)
- If
unmarried or widowed, promise celibacy at ordination
For
more information call the Office of the Permanent Diaconate
at (973) 497-4223 |
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Why can deacons receive the Holy Orders and still be married?
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Canon
law allows married men to become deacons. |
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How
does your wife feel about you being a permanent deacon?
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A
married applicant must have the full support of his wife in order
to continue in his formation for the Diaconate. The wife must
give her consent in writing and must show that she will participate
to a reasonable extent in formation and post-ordination activities.
She, like her husband, must go through an interviewing process.
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How
do the children fit into all this? |
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As
part of the interviewing process home visits are conducted to
establish if the applicant has a stable family life. Children
must be over the age of 5. |
