The Permanent Diaconate

The Fathers of the Second Vatican Council, especially Pope Paul VI, laid the foundation for the restoration of the Permanent Diaconate.

The term ‘deacon’, from the Greek word ‘diakonos’ meaning ‘servant’ or ‘helper’, occurs a number of times in the New Testament and is sometimes applied to Jesus himself. Many scholars trace the origin of the diaconate to an incident recorded in the Acts of the Apostles (6:1-7).

It is an important office in the Church: deacons’ work is in three main areas;

liturgy - proclaiming the Gospel at Mass, assisting the priest at the altar, distributing Holy Communion, leading funeral services, baptisms, marriages
teaching - instructing people for baptism or marriage
charity - promoting works of charity and social welfare, visiting the sick, the poor and the deprived.

A deacon is a true minister of service. A permanent deacon may be marries but does not become a priest; the vast majority of permanent deacons are married. Together with his wife a deacon shows and witnesses to the reality of Christian love; the wife can be a true support to her husband’s ministry.

The person must be at least 35 years of age. The training can take four or five years.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Middlesbrough

The Permanent Diaconate