We hear various terms used when refering to structures that have something to do with Permanent Deacons. Given the relatively recent arrival of the Permanent Deacon on the Ecclesial landscape, after an absence of about 1500 years, it is understandable if terminology is used inappropriately. In this article we will attempt to clarify two main structures related to the order of Permanent Deacon at diocesan level.
Council of Deacons
The term 'Council of Deacons' is a specific reference to the order of clergy it represents, namely the Permanent Deacons. This Council is constituted by mutual consent of the Permanent Deacons in the diocese and operates with a Constitution approved by the Bishop. The membership of this body automatically comprises of the total number of Permanent Deacons in the diocese, active and retired, irrespective of their attendance record. The Council executive, elected from among the Permanent Deacons, i.e. chairman, secretary, etc is tasked with managing the affairs of the Council between plenary functions. The executive is responsible, inter alia, for maintaining effective communication between the Bishop and the Deacons and among the clergy in general, upholding the statutes of the Council, setting the agenda for meetings of the Deacons, strengthening the Sacramental Fraternity in communion with the Bishop, facilitating on-going formation of the Brotherhood, networking with the wider community of Permanent Deacons, facilitating regional and international participation in Diaconate gatherings. The Council of Deacons could more accurately be identified as an association of the Permanent Deacons for their mutual benefit.
Diaconate Board
The term 'Diaconate Board' is an entirely different proposition altogether. While the term Deacon (Diakonos) is specific and refers directly to the ordained minister of the clergy, the term Diaconate is used in a more general sense and has a much wider, more holistic reference as it relates to the Order of the Permanent Deacon. In this context 'Diaconate' refers to any and all aspects that relate directly or indirectly to the Order of Permanent Deacon, prior to and after ordination i.e. from the basic norms for the formation of Deacons, to the ministry and life of the Permanent Deacon, policy formulation, formation & on-going formation programmes, etc.
The Diaconate Board therefore is constituted and mandated by the Bishop as an authoritative body for the Diaconate in his diocese. This body should not be confused with or mistaken for the association that is the Council of Deacons. It is in fact part of the Bishop's curia. This Board represents the Bishop in the holistic management of the Permanent Diaconate in his territory. The make up of the Board comprises stakeholders such as Priests, Deacons, lay religious and Laiety, including spouse representatives. The Board, acting on behalf of the Bishop, promotes vocations to the order of Permanent Deacon, screens applicants including psycological evaluations, makes recommendations to the Bishop for the various stages, establishes the formation and on-going formation programmes, keeps accurate progress files for each applicant, facilitates specific formation areas i.e. Philosophical, Theological, Spiritual, Pastoral & Liturgical, conscientises the diocese on the identity of the Permanent Deacon, sources funding for academic studies, makes recommendations to the Bishop for further studies for specific Deacons, is the peer review body of Permanent Deacons, liaison with the Council of Deacons, makes assignment recommendations to the Bishop, are mediators in conflict resolution.
The Bishop appoints a formation Director who is an ex-officio member of both the Diaconate Board (official) and the Council of Deacons (association). The Bishop is President of both structures. The Deacons appointed by the Bishop to the Diaconate Board may be members of the executive of the Council of Deacons.
Comment
The clarification of these structures hopefully gives some insight into their areas of responsibility, their complimentary roles and the necessity to have separate structures. The separation of powers creates the necessary space for an effective and accountable administration and management of the Diaconate. By contrast, combining the structures runs the risk of stretching the resources available to the detriment of the continuity and growth of the order. The Diaconate Board, as a specialist service to the Bishop, separate to but complimenting the Council of Deacons, can operate in an objective and professional working relationship with the Bishop and, by virtue of the appointed members, should contain within itself sufficient competencies to effectively achieve the desired outcome for the good of the local and universal Church.
Please feel free to comment
Dcn. Greg
Council of Deacons
The term 'Council of Deacons' is a specific reference to the order of clergy it represents, namely the Permanent Deacons. This Council is constituted by mutual consent of the Permanent Deacons in the diocese and operates with a Constitution approved by the Bishop. The membership of this body automatically comprises of the total number of Permanent Deacons in the diocese, active and retired, irrespective of their attendance record. The Council executive, elected from among the Permanent Deacons, i.e. chairman, secretary, etc is tasked with managing the affairs of the Council between plenary functions. The executive is responsible, inter alia, for maintaining effective communication between the Bishop and the Deacons and among the clergy in general, upholding the statutes of the Council, setting the agenda for meetings of the Deacons, strengthening the Sacramental Fraternity in communion with the Bishop, facilitating on-going formation of the Brotherhood, networking with the wider community of Permanent Deacons, facilitating regional and international participation in Diaconate gatherings. The Council of Deacons could more accurately be identified as an association of the Permanent Deacons for their mutual benefit.
Diaconate Board
The term 'Diaconate Board' is an entirely different proposition altogether. While the term Deacon (Diakonos) is specific and refers directly to the ordained minister of the clergy, the term Diaconate is used in a more general sense and has a much wider, more holistic reference as it relates to the Order of the Permanent Deacon. In this context 'Diaconate' refers to any and all aspects that relate directly or indirectly to the Order of Permanent Deacon, prior to and after ordination i.e. from the basic norms for the formation of Deacons, to the ministry and life of the Permanent Deacon, policy formulation, formation & on-going formation programmes, etc.
The Diaconate Board therefore is constituted and mandated by the Bishop as an authoritative body for the Diaconate in his diocese. This body should not be confused with or mistaken for the association that is the Council of Deacons. It is in fact part of the Bishop's curia. This Board represents the Bishop in the holistic management of the Permanent Diaconate in his territory. The make up of the Board comprises stakeholders such as Priests, Deacons, lay religious and Laiety, including spouse representatives. The Board, acting on behalf of the Bishop, promotes vocations to the order of Permanent Deacon, screens applicants including psycological evaluations, makes recommendations to the Bishop for the various stages, establishes the formation and on-going formation programmes, keeps accurate progress files for each applicant, facilitates specific formation areas i.e. Philosophical, Theological, Spiritual, Pastoral & Liturgical, conscientises the diocese on the identity of the Permanent Deacon, sources funding for academic studies, makes recommendations to the Bishop for further studies for specific Deacons, is the peer review body of Permanent Deacons, liaison with the Council of Deacons, makes assignment recommendations to the Bishop, are mediators in conflict resolution.
The Bishop appoints a formation Director who is an ex-officio member of both the Diaconate Board (official) and the Council of Deacons (association). The Bishop is President of both structures. The Deacons appointed by the Bishop to the Diaconate Board may be members of the executive of the Council of Deacons.
Comment
The clarification of these structures hopefully gives some insight into their areas of responsibility, their complimentary roles and the necessity to have separate structures. The separation of powers creates the necessary space for an effective and accountable administration and management of the Diaconate. By contrast, combining the structures runs the risk of stretching the resources available to the detriment of the continuity and growth of the order. The Diaconate Board, as a specialist service to the Bishop, separate to but complimenting the Council of Deacons, can operate in an objective and professional working relationship with the Bishop and, by virtue of the appointed members, should contain within itself sufficient competencies to effectively achieve the desired outcome for the good of the local and universal Church.
Please feel free to comment
Dcn. Greg
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