National Directory

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ORGANIZATION, STRUCTURE, AND PERSONNEL FOR DIACONAL FORMATION

272. The Secretariat for Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is also at the service of the diocesan bishop, especially regarding procedures for planning, requesting review of a formation proposal, and implementing the diaconate. Formal review of existing programs by a visiting team orga nized by the Bishops’ Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations is another resource available through the secretariat. II. Structures 273. “The diocese should provide appropriate structures for the forma tion,” 1 ministry, and life of deacons. Structures include an office, a policy board, a commission on admissions, and so on. Some practical functions of a diocesan diaconate formation structure include collab oration, formation planning, policy development, and post-ordination activities. 2 274. Various models for diaconal formation have developed in the United States of America.They provide the essential components for diaconal formation independently or in affiliation with other institutions. 1. The freestanding structure is the most common model for diaco nal formation in the United States of America.Within this diocesan structure, diaconal formation takes place in its entirety, usually with personnel drawn from the various academic, spiritual, and forma tional resources of the diocese. 2. The college/university -related model incorporates one or more parts of formation from diocesan staff and resources, while one or several parts of formation, such as the intellectual and/or pastoral, Diocesan Program for Diaconal Formation Models for Diaconal Formation