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

NDPD 281

National Directory for Permanent Deacons

in deacon formation; those selected by the diocesan bishop to do so should receive appropriate preparation for their role.

Continuity 281 Continuity in staffing and programming, as well as a planned transi tion in personnel, ought to receive the highest priority. The administra tive staff and formation faculty must comply with the personnel policies established by the diocesan Church for its clergy and lay staff, policies that may include term limits. Such compliance will help in planning for an orderly transition among formation personnel. 282 Opportunities for sabbaticals, training, and internships for priests, dea cons, and professional lay employees in preparation for eventual place ments on the diaconal formation staff should be anticipated and sched uled as far in advance as possible. V. ASPIRANT AND CANDIDATE FORMATION PERSONNEL 283 For the administration of the aspirant and candidate stages in diaconate formation, the following personnel have a special responsibility. Director of Formation 284 The director of formation, who must be a priest or a deacon, 9 is appointed by the diocesan bishop to be head of the deacon formation program. He reports directly to the Director of the Permanent Diaconate and should have regular communication with him. The director of formation exer cises delegated responsibility for both aspirant and candidate forma tion. However, the number of participants in either stage may require the additional appointment of an associate. The director of formation oversees the implementation of the formation program. He conducts

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BNFPD, no. 21.

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