National Directory

163

ORGANIZATION, STRUCTURE, AND PERSONNEL FOR DIACONAL FORMATION

implementing the post-ordination stage of diaconate formation. He assists the diocesan bishop in his supervision of the spiritual and personal welfare of deacons and their families. The Director of the Permanent Diaconate supervises the director of formation, who is responsible for those in aspirant and candidate formation. The Director is not, however, personally responsible for those in aspirant and candidate formation. 22 301. In most dioceses, the Director of the Permanent Diaconate fulfills sev eral administrative functions, except that of the spiritual direction of deacons. 23 The Director of the Permanent Diaconate, together with the deacon’s designated pastor or priest supervisor (if the deacon is assigned to an office or agency not directed by a priest), as well as a representative of that office or agency, and the deacon himself are to be involved in preparing the text of the diocesan bishop’s letter of appointment. Further, the director oversees the program for the newly ordained. He also ministers, as delegated by the diocesan bishop, to the other deacons in their assigned ministries, conducting regularly scheduled visits with the deacons and their families, reviewing and evaluating diaconal assignments, and making appropriate recommen dations to the diocesan bishop. He assists the diocesan bishop and the deacons’ designated pastors in planning and implementing an annual program for diaconate continuing formation. He further assists the diocesan bishop and the designated pastors in their pastoral care of deacons and their families, especially monitoring those living and min istering outside the diocese, or deacons who may be ill or on a minis terial leave of absence. The Director of the Permanent Diaconate also complements the diocesan bishop’s presence to and care for retired deacons and their families, as well as to deacon widowers and to wid ows and their families. 302. At the discretion of the diocesan bishop, the Director of the Permanent Diaconate may be appointed as a liaison to diocesan departments and public agencies, as well as parishes, on diaconal matters.