The Permanent Diaconate was reinstated by the Second Vatican Council, not just as a response to a reduced number of priests, but also in order to emphasize that the Permanent Deacon living in the world and serving in the Church forms a permanent bridge between the lay vocation and the vocation of one who is blessed with Holy Orders.
Twelve men will be ordained to the permanent diaconate on Saturday, May 27, by Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio at St. Joseph’s Co-Cathedral, Prospect Heights.
Pope Francis appointed six men and six women, including U.S. scholar Phyllis Zagano, to a commission to study the issue of women deacons in the church.
The International Union of Superiors General met with Pope Francis as part of its plenary assembly. During that meeting, a religious sister asked the Holy Father why the Church doesn’t include women in the permanent diaconate, since they already participate in the works of charity, as well as in the case of administration, following the example of the first deacons as detailed in Acts of the Apostles.
Communities such as Bachajon have come to depend on indigenous deacons like Anselmo Hernandez, who play an important part in serving the Church and evangelizing remote regions of Chiapas state.
The deacon is a man of faith called to serve God and God’s people as an official representative of the Church in service to others. Information sessions are being held for those interested in the Diaconate Formation Program’s admissions process.
Dear Editor: Your Nov. 14 issue congratulated the 25th anniversary class of Brooklyn’s permanent deacons. It was my pleasure to teach Sacred Scripture to that class and it is my pleasure to congratulate them as well.
The Deacon IS a man of faith called by the Church to serve God and God’s people as an official representative of the Church in service to others.
“This is a ministry that is not done alone; it is done in community with our bishop, our priests and our brother deacons,” Deacon Gonzales said. “This is how we keep the deacon family together.”
Three men who are studying outside the diocese were ordained transitional deacons by Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto on May 30.
