The National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and the Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States (Ascension)

NDPD 169

National Directory for Permanent Deacons

diocesan pastoral plan for ministry in which deacons have an important role, then the diocese and parishes can more easily identify and recruit potential candidates, describe to them the challenges and opportunities of diaconal ministry in the diocese, and urge them to consider it as a service to which they can commit themselves. 169 The Church in the United States of America is enriched by the diversity of its cultural, racial, and ethnic communities. Because these commu nities share in the responsibility for promoting church vocations, their leaders ought to be formally invited and included in the planning and implementation of vocation programs directed to their communities. Their support and encouragement will effectively assist in the recruit ment of qualified applicants from their communities. Representatives of US ethnic and cultural communities—such as Americans of African, Pacific Islander, Asian, Native American, and Hispanic heritage—who participate as consultants to the diaconate office can provide significant insight on cultural subtleties and their effect upon discernment and for mation programming, including pastoral placement. 170 Of particular importance in the United States of America is the large Hispanic Catholic population. Knowledge of Spanish and of Hispanic cultures is important in both recruiting and retaining Hispanic candi dates. In each stage of formation, essential resources—e.g., translators, textbooks, mentors, community support—should be provided to ensure the inclusion of each participant. 171 Care ought to be taken, especially in the post-ordination stage of forma tion, to provide opportunities for English-speaking deacons to learn Span ish, or other appropriate languages used in the diocese, on a conversational level. The opportunity for formal study of Hispanic and other cultures also should be provided. Further, the study of English and the historical development of a multicultural society within the United States of Amer ica should be provided to those whose primary language is not English.

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