On the Permanency of the Permanent Deacon

A reader commented in the previous post, asking:

We have a friend who was ordained in the permanent diaconate. Does that mean he can't ever change his mind, and go on to become a priest? My husband was thinking that due to such a clerical shortage, this deacon ought (and would be the type) to pursue that, but it's called permanent diaconate for a reason--yet it seems likely there is some dispensation or form to release him from the diaconate into pursuing that?

Fortunately, to address the question we are now able to consult the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops document National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States, which was approved in 2003 and released for publication in 2005.  For those of us in the diaconate, the National Directory was a long-awaited document that answered many questions, for which the responses tended to vary regionally.

It does, in fact, seem reasonable that there should be some permission or other means available by which a widowed or celibate deacon might enter the priesthood.  After all, people do change directions in life, and it's true that many deacons possess the qualities that go into making good pastors.

I have, in fact, known of several deacons who became priests after being widowed.  Though this certainly has never been the norm, even before the release of the Directory.  There are also occasions that I am aware of in which the transition from deacon to priest didn't work out.

In one case, with which I am familiar, a deacon became a priest and then subsequently left the priesthood to remarry.  Naturally, such mishaps might give rise to practical arguments against ordaining men to the priesthood who have been accustomed to married life.  However, in my opinion, this in itself is not a strong argument against allowing deacons to become priests.  The stronger argument simply has to do with the permanence of the order.

What does the Directory have to say about all this?  Here's an excerpt that gets right to it:

Since the history of the order over the last millennium, however, has been centered on the diaconate as a transitory stage leading to the priesthood, actions that may obfuscate the stability and permanence of the order should be minimized.  This would include the ordination of celibate or widowed deacons to the priesthood.  "Hence ordination [of a permanent deacon] to the priesthood...must always be a very rare exception, and only for special and grave reasons..."

However, the document goes on to leave open the possibility of ordaining a permanent deacon to the priesthood given that the diocese adheres to the correct protocol and insures the suitability and proper education of the candidate.  Still, it is clear that the role of the permanent deacon is, typically and most suitably, to remain a deacon throughout life.

Nevertheless, in the case of the deacon in the question, I would advise him to consult with his bishop and be in prayer and discernment.  Some the Lord called as teachers, and some to be prophets.  Others he called to be evangelizers, and still others to be apostles.  By the same reasoning some are called to be priests, and others the Lord calls as deacons. 

Whatever the calling, our role--our responsibility--is to accept God's will in our lives and to rejoice in that which we do.  Our responsibility also is to discern the call of God and to be ready to go forth when he calls.

Comments

[Carol]

Thank you so much! Oh, he'd probably shoot me if he knew I was pushing him (in my heart) into the priesthood, but he is retired, now; he has never married; has never (I think) availed himself of any opportunity that might've co-conceived life; we have an ungodly shortage of priests here; he has already baptized many babies and given many homilies; is quite comfortable with all the clergy both here and in the Diocese; has worked in RCIA and religious ed and Confirmation and adult Confirmation for years; everyone likes him--actually, it'd be impossible not to like him, and I know he prays the Rosary daily (all the mysteries on his birthday every year) along with the Hours, etc., and we'd so gladly all foot the schooling bill. What can I say--the priesthood for such as him seems so logical! Yet, he and we and God ordained him into the Permanent Diaconate.. Well, I've wanted to ask someone in the know for a while now, just in case he and I get into a conversation about it, perhaps soon. Again, thank you so much, DDW.

[Ann]

Ireland does not have any Permanent Deacons yet but they are, I understand ,expected to be ' in formation' pretty soon.
I read a very interesting article in an Irish Catholic journal- The Furrow- in which the writer forecast the state of parishes in Ireland in the next 10 years or so. Obviously with the decline in vocations to the priesthood the role of Permanent Deacons is being seen as both welcome and vital for the Church.
I will keep you informed of developments here, if I may, but with the understanding that any observations I make will be from a strictly lay perspective.

[Ann]

Ireland does not have any Permanent Deacons yet but they are, I understand ,expected to be ' in formation' pretty soon.
I read a very interesting article in an Irish Catholic journal- The Furrow- in which the writer forecast the state of parishes in Ireland in the next 10 years or so. Obviously with the decline in vocations to the priesthood the role of Permanent Deacons is being seen as both welcome and vital for the Church.
I will keep you informed of developments here, if I may, but with the understanding that any observations I make will be from a strictly lay perspective.

[Deacon DW]

Ann, I welcome your observations regardless of perspective. May the Lord bless Ireland with many priests (and a few deacons to boot). Certainly Ireland has blessed the United States in terms of the priesthood.

[Gabrielle]

Deacon Dan, the case you describe of the deacon who became a priest and subsequently left the priesthood to remarry - hopefully this would be an isolated case, and I agree with you, not a strong argument against the whole idea. I mean, even if he hadn't become a priest, even if he had remained a deacon, he had taken a vow not to remarry, no? And if he had remarried as a deacon, he would have broken his vow. This is rather an individual case of a person who does not appear to have a calling to celibacy. I think if a widowed deacon has a vocation for the priesthood, it would be a wonderful thing if it were allowed.

[Carol]

A few years ago (before the clergy shortage) I looked up global statistics on the Diaconate and found that out of all the nations in the world who host a diaconate program, the U.S. had the most -- nearly 12,000 deacons at that time (tho' I don't recall how many were permanent as opposed to transitional). There are many positive economic and similar factors for that figure, I'm sure, but it was larger than all the other nations' deacons put together. No doubt others see our large diaconate population as a minus, simply because its great explosion sprang from V2; maybe I'm not seeing the whole picture on that, but truly it's one of the things that allows me great hope for this nation.

[John]

Hi Ann / Carol. You are right to say that Ireland does not have any permanent deacons yet. The first will be ordained on May 31st Pentecost Sunday for the Cloyne Diocese. (That will be me!). The second will be the following week, Trinity Sunday for the diocese of Elphin. After that, it will be 3 or 4 years before the next ordinations at which stage most diocese will have men in training or some ordained. The situation with priestly vocations is not as bad as people are making out. Many men are coming forward in their 30s and 40s. It is true however that the days of 6 or 7 priests in a parish are coming to an end but we are still blessed with many fine priests.

[John]

Hi Ann / Carol. You are right to say that Ireland does not have any permanent deacons yet. The first will be ordained on May 31st Pentecost Sunday for the Cloyne Diocese. (That will be me!). The second will be the following week, Trinity Sunday for the diocese of Elphin. After that, it will be 3 or 4 years before the next ordinations at which stage most diocese will have men in training or some ordained. The situation with priestly vocations is not as bad as people are making out. Many men are coming forward in their 30s and 40s. It is true however that the days of 6 or 7 priests in a parish are coming to an end but we are still blessed with many fine priests.

[Carol]

Awesome -- thank you doubly, John! For your "yes" and for your news! Cloyne.. isn't that where Bishop Magee placed Christ in my mouth for the first time in Ireland, over at St. Colman's.. And amen, many men are coming forward in their 30s and 40s and people need to know this. So, thank you triply!