National Directory

162

ORGANIZATION, STRUCTURE, AND PERSONNEL FOR DIACONAL FORMATION

applicants for admission to aspirant and candidate formation, nomi nate aspirants for the Rite of Admission to Candidacy, and review and nominate candidates for institution into the ministries of lector and acolyte and, eventually, for ordination to the diaconate. 19 VII. Post-Ordination Formation Personnel 298. It is a particular responsibility of the diocesan bishop to provide for the pastoral care of the deacons and the diaconal community in his diocese. This care is discharged both personally and through the Director of the Permanent Diaconate. Special care should always be shown to those deacons experiencing difficulties because of personal circumstances. Whenever possible the diocesan bishop should attend the deacons’ community meetings, as well as those of the deacon community board or the deacon assignment board, if these structures have been autho rized and constituted. If the diocesan bishop is unable to attend, he may designate a cleric—e.g., his vicar general or vicar for the clergy— to represent him in his absence. 20 299. The diocesan bishop appoints the Director of the Permanent Diaconate. He is directly responsible to the diocesan bishop. The Director, who is to be either a priest or a deacon, should have regular and comprehen sive communications with the diocesan bishop on matters regarding individual deacons, as well as their families. 21 In fulfilling his responsi bilities, the Director of the Permanent Diaconate must be thoroughly familiar with the intent and context of the Congregation for the Clergy’s Directory for the Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons and of this National Directory , especially the post-ordination components. Director of the Permanent Diaconate

300. The director serves as the diocesan bishop’s representative in