What is a Roman Catholic Deacon?
The first few times I attended a Roman Catholic mass, I was confused. I saw two men in vestments leading the liturgy and assumed both of them were priests. I later learned that only one was a priest. Before converting, I wanted to find out exactly what a Roman Catholic deacon is.
Clergy
To a Protestant, the concept of Roman Catholic clergy is confusing. "Clergy" in the Catholic world includes three types of ordained men: bishops, priests, and deacons, says the Diocese of Green Bay.
To a better-trained eye than mine, the deacon's stole would have been a giveaway as far as his role as clergy. Each type of clergyman has vestments particular to his role and authority. They also vary seasonally, according to the Church's liturgical calendar, I quickly learned.
Types of deacons
While it recognizes only one clerical order of deacons, known as the diaconate, Roman Catholicism has two types of deacons: transitional and permanent. Every man ordained a priest has been a transitional deacon. After completing their formal training, seminarians serve a brief period, typically a year, as transitional deacons before becoming priests.
Permanent deacons are clergy who have been ordained to a lifelong commitment of ministry. Many are married, and most have an occupation outside their service as deacons. A permanent deacon's roots are in his community, family, and job. In a newcomer's class, I learned that if a man is married upon his ordination to the permanent diaconate and his wife subsequently dies, he cannot remarry.
According to Catholic Online, Pope Paul VI in 1967 restored the permanent diaconate in the Western church. While it was very much a part of the early church, over the centuries, the diaconate evolved in the West into a transitional role for men headed toward ordination as priests. However, the permanent diaconate has remained important in the Eastern Church since the time of the Apostles.
The role of deacons
Eligibility to become a deacon and the religious training required vary according to diocese. Once ordained, a deacon assumes important ministerial duties in a Catholic parish. As part of the ministry of the word, he can proclaim the Gospel at mass, preach, teach, and evangelize.
His liturgical ministry allows him to assist at mass and preside over the liturgy of the word with or without Communion. I was surprised to learn that he can preside at marriages, funerals, and baptisms, as well as other services.
Deacons are also ordained to serve in a ministry of charity, justice, and pastoral outreach. Often they are in charge of programs to help those who are homeless, needy, ill, or otherwise considered marginal in society.
How to address a deacon
Only a priest should be addressed as "Father." Both transitional and permanent deacons should be addressed as "Deacon" rather than using a first name.
Many deacons prefer that senders address correspondence to them addressed as "Reverend Mr. (Surname)." I learned that this is also common in the Episcopal Church.
Whether a deacon is on his way to becoming a priest or has professed permanent orders, he can ease the administrative burden of many short-staffed parishes. Knowing what a Roman Catholic deacon is helps parishioners provide him with the proper respect and clarifies the various roles of this important member of the clergy.
Sources:
http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=26824
http://www.gbdioc.org/vocations/deacons.html
Clergy
To a Protestant, the concept of Roman Catholic clergy is confusing. "Clergy" in the Catholic world includes three types of ordained men: bishops, priests, and deacons, says the Diocese of Green Bay.
To a better-trained eye than mine, the deacon's stole would have been a giveaway as far as his role as clergy. Each type of clergyman has vestments particular to his role and authority. They also vary seasonally, according to the Church's liturgical calendar, I quickly learned.
Types of deacons
While it recognizes only one clerical order of deacons, known as the diaconate, Roman Catholicism has two types of deacons: transitional and permanent. Every man ordained a priest has been a transitional deacon. After completing their formal training, seminarians serve a brief period, typically a year, as transitional deacons before becoming priests.
Permanent deacons are clergy who have been ordained to a lifelong commitment of ministry. Many are married, and most have an occupation outside their service as deacons. A permanent deacon's roots are in his community, family, and job. In a newcomer's class, I learned that if a man is married upon his ordination to the permanent diaconate and his wife subsequently dies, he cannot remarry.
According to Catholic Online, Pope Paul VI in 1967 restored the permanent diaconate in the Western church. While it was very much a part of the early church, over the centuries, the diaconate evolved in the West into a transitional role for men headed toward ordination as priests. However, the permanent diaconate has remained important in the Eastern Church since the time of the Apostles.
The role of deacons
Eligibility to become a deacon and the religious training required vary according to diocese. Once ordained, a deacon assumes important ministerial duties in a Catholic parish. As part of the ministry of the word, he can proclaim the Gospel at mass, preach, teach, and evangelize.
His liturgical ministry allows him to assist at mass and preside over the liturgy of the word with or without Communion. I was surprised to learn that he can preside at marriages, funerals, and baptisms, as well as other services.
Deacons are also ordained to serve in a ministry of charity, justice, and pastoral outreach. Often they are in charge of programs to help those who are homeless, needy, ill, or otherwise considered marginal in society.
How to address a deacon
Only a priest should be addressed as "Father." Both transitional and permanent deacons should be addressed as "Deacon" rather than using a first name.
Many deacons prefer that senders address correspondence to them addressed as "Reverend Mr. (Surname)." I learned that this is also common in the Episcopal Church.
Whether a deacon is on his way to becoming a priest or has professed permanent orders, he can ease the administrative burden of many short-staffed parishes. Knowing what a Roman Catholic deacon is helps parishioners provide him with the proper respect and clarifies the various roles of this important member of the clergy.
Sources:
http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=26824
http://www.gbdioc.org/vocations/deacons.html
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