(National Director of the Permanent Diaconate)

Parochial House

Dunboyne

Co Meath

Tel: +353 (0)1 825 5342

In March 2009 the Bishops appointed a national training authority under the chairmanship of Bishop Donal McKeown to approve and monitor formation for permanent deacons in this country. This body ensures that the preparation of candidates for ordination to the diaconate is in keeping with the expectations of the Church.

7 February 2008 | Address of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI at a meeting with the Parish Priests and the Clergy of the Diocese of Rome

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18 February 2006 | Address of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to the Permanent Deacons of Rome

Bishop Philip Boyce

Are permanent deacons ordained?
Yes, permanent deacons are ordained. There are three levels of holy orders in the Catholic Church: diaconate, priesthood, and episcopate. Lumen Gentium says that deacons are ordained “not unto the priesthood but unto ministry”.  The diaconate is the first level. Deacons are ordained to represent sacramentally Christ the servant. A deacon is called to embody the work of Christ in charity, in the word and at the altar.  There are as many ways of serving as there are deacons.  Deacons can baptise, witness marriages, bring viaticum to the dying, visit the sick and housebound, assist in sacramental preparation, promote knowledge of the social teaching of the Church, and preside at funerals.  They proclaim the Gospel and may serve as the homilist at Mass.

Are deacons intended to replace lay ministry?
No. The main function of the deacon is to represent Christ as a sign and sacrament of service.  The focus of the deacon is to serve in such a way that encourages each and every Christian to imitate Christ. It is not intended that deacons would compete with or supplant pastoral coordinators, lectors (readers), lay eucharistic ministers, acolytes (servers),  and other lay persons involved in the ministry of the Church.

Can married men be deacons?
Yes. A married man who is ordained a deacon in the Catholic Church is expected to honour his first commitment in the sacrament of marriage. The Church will not ordain a man unless his wife gives her consent in writing.  A married deacon often must juggle a secular job, his family responsibilities and his service as deacon.  Ordination to the diaconate is an affirmation of the Christian service (diaconia) evidenced in a man’s marriage. Married candidates for the diaconate must be at least thirty-five years old and married for at least five years. Unmarried candidates, who make a promise of celibacy on ordination, may be accepted at twenty-five.

Can deacons hold full-time jobs?
Yes. A deacon usually exercises his ministry on a voluntary and part-time basis. This means that he continues to hold full-time employment in his secular job while offering his service as a deacon outside of his work commitment. It is important though, that there is no practical or moral contradiction between a deacon’s ministry and his occupation. Apart from expenses associated with the exercise of his ministry a deacon is not paid.

Why do some deacons become priests?
The Second Vatican Council authorised the restoration of the diaconate as a permanent and stable grade of Holy Orders . So, while students for the priesthood are still ordained deacons prior to their ordination as priests, there are around 30, 000 deacons worldwide who minister in this Order permanently. There is no difference in the sacramental sign or the functions between these so-called "transitional" and "permanent deacons."

Where can I apply to be a deacon?
Applications to become a permanent deacon are always made to the local diocese (contacts listed above).

The Permanent Deacons’ cross of the Archdiocese of Milan.  Read more...