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

NDPD 276

National Directory for Permanent Deacons

the intellectual and pastoral dimensions of diaconal formation. The flex ibility that distance learning offers can be a desirable feature in diaconal formation, because it honors a family life perspective in formation and ministry and recognizes the multiple demands on the participants that can make it difficult to be present at one location. 4 276 In the United States of America, a significant number of educational insti tutions, such as local community colleges or universities, have the capacity to conduct video interactive conferencing with multiple sites. This tech nology provides one format for distance learning and is usually available to organizations and institutions as a public service. Some dioceses in the United States of America make good use of this technology. 277 Another rapidly developing distance-learning format is the online seminar. Through the accessibility of the Internet, online seminars and courses in theological, pastoral, and religious studies are being expanded and offer quality programming at a reasonable cost to the participant. These courses are offered at undergraduate, graduate, and adult extension levels through Catholic colleges and universities in the United States of America and throughout the world. If a distance- learning format is incorporated into the diocesan program for part of the intellectual and pastoral dimensions in formation, it is the responsibility of the diocesan bishop to verify that the course of study offered fulfills the requirements of the Basic Norms for the Formation of Permanent Dea cons , the Directory for the Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons , and this National Directory . The course must be complete, be in harmony with magisterial teaching, and be taught by a competent instructor. Of particular interest in distance learning is the availability on the Internet of major theological libraries and research centers throughout the world. A valuable resource in this regard is the website of the Congregation for the Clergy, www.clerus.org . 5

4

See GDC, no. 160.

5 The Congregation for the Clergy offers its website to assist in the continuing formation of priests and deacons. The website provides a library on the magisterial teachings of the Roman pontiffs, with recent documentation from the Holy Father, Church Fathers, and sacred writings. It provides links to several

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