Permanent Diaconate
Deacons
The Diaconate is an ancient order of the Church found in the Acts of the Apostles and the letters of St. Paul. It has, since the Second Vatican Council, been restored, "as a proper and permanent rank of the hierarchy," in the Latin Church. The title "deacon" comes from the Greek word "diakonia," which means "service." Deacons are ordained, "not unto the priesthood, but unto the ministry" as the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches. Therefore, deacons have a special attachment to the bishop in their service to the Church. The Catechism explains that "the sacrament of Holy Orders marks them with an imprint ('character') which cannot be removed and which configures them to Christ, who made himself the 'deacon' or servant of all."(1570)
All priests are also ordained deacons before being ordained priest. Those who are ordained deacons in preparation for the priesthood are sometimes called "transitional deacons." Those who are ordained deacons without the intention of proceeding to the priesthood are often called "permanent deacons." Deacons are clerics. While married men may be ordained, they may not remarry - and those who are not married are bound to observe clerical celibacy.
Vatican II's principal statement on the restoration of the permanent diaconate appears in the Constitution on the Church.
"Deacons receive the imposition of hands not unto the priesthood, but unto a ministry of service." For, strengthened by sacramental grace they are dedicated to the People of God, in conjunction with the bishop and his body of priests, in the service of the liturgy, of the Gospel and of works of charity. It pertains to the office of a deacon, in so far as it may be assigned to him by the competent authority, to administer Baptism solemnly, to be a custodian and distributor of the Eucharist, in the name of the church to assist and to bless marriages, to bring Viaticum to the dying, to read the sacred Scripture to the faithful, to instruct and exhort the people, to preside over the worship and the prayer of the faithful, to administer sacramentals, and to officiate at funeral and burial services. Dedicated to works of charity and functions of administration, deacons should recall the admonition of St. Polycarp: "let them be merciful, and zealous, and let them walk according to the truth of the lord, who became the servant of all".
Deacons in the Roman Catholic Church help priests in administrative and pastoral work. They serve the poor and the outcast, help administer communion as an ordinary minister and proclaim the gospel. Deacons preach, teach and proclaim the gospel during Mass and assist at Mass. The Deacon provides assistance to the poor and encourages parishioners to become involved in these efforts. He can act as the church's witness during marriage ceremonies. Deacons can also give certain blessings but can not give absolution or anoint the sick. If a funeral doesn't include Mass, a Roman Catholic deacon can preside over the rites. A deacon can help the priest during a Requiem Mass. Permanent deacons can act as parish administrators. As deacons are ordained, they should be referred to as Deacon, just as one would address a priest as "Father."
