Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 12) — The Vatican has approved the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines’ (CBCP) petition to establish a Permanent Diaconate in the country.
The Vatican’s Secretariat of State said the approval was in response to CBCP’s letter on July 25.
“I am pleased to inform you that the Holy Father has granted your petition, and you are hereby requested to contact the Dicastery for the Clergy concerning all further matters pertaining to the establishment of the Permanent Diaconate,” the letter read.
According to the Vatican, a permanent deacon can be conferred on a single or married man. Deacons are ordained clergy who are not priests; their special role is to assist priests.
Deacons preparing for the priesthood are called transitional deacons, while those not planning to be ordained priests are permanent deacons.
In Pope Francis’ Lumen Gentium, the Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, he said the diaconate is “not for the priesthood but for service.”
The Catholic Diocese of Salina said a deacon is ordained to a threefold ministry of word, liturgy, and charity.
The deacon’s ministry of service would normally include an activity or area that reaches beyond the parish. They are called to be pastoral associates or pastoral directors.
The bishop appoints the deacon to a specific assignment, which are based on the pastoral needs of the community, the personal qualifications and abilities.
The Permanent Diaconate will be created in the “Ecclesiastical Circumscriptions” or communities of the faithful under the authority of a Bishop in the country.
