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

NDPD 297

National Directory for Permanent Deacons

Committee on Admission 297 The diocesan bishop is to establish a committee on admission, unless another such structure exists. The formation policy board might include this responsibility among its tasks. The committee on admission could, therefore, be constituted as a subcommittee of the formation policy board with its members selected from the board. The specific responsi bilities of this committee are to review and recommend applicants for admission to aspirant and candidate formation, nominate aspirants for the Rite of Admission to Candidacy, and review and nominate candi dates for institution into the ministries of lector and acolyte and, even tually, 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 dio cese. This care is discharged both personally and through the Direc tor of the Permanent Diaconate. Special care should always be shown to those deacons experiencing difficulties because of personal circum stances. Whenever possible the diocesan bishop should attend the dea cons’ community meetings, as well as those of the deacon community board or the deacon assignment board, if these structures have been authorized 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 Director of the Permanent Diaconate 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

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DMLPD, no. 80.

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