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

NDPD

Organization, Structure, and Personnel

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individual deacons, as well as their families. 21 In fulfilling his responsi bilities, the Director of the Permanent Diaconate must be thoroughly familiar with the intent and context of the Congregation for the Clergy’s Directory for the Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons and of this National Directory , especially the post-ordination components. 300 The director serves as the diocesan bishop’s representative in 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 candi date 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 pre paring the text of the diocesan bishop’s letter of appointment. Further, the director oversees the program for the newly ordained. He also min isters, as delegated by the diocesan bishop, to the other deacons in their assigned ministries, conducting regularly scheduled visits with the dea cons and their families, reviewing and evaluating diaconal assignments, and making appropriate recommendations to the diocesan bishop. He assists the diocesan bishop and the deacons’ designated pastors in plan ning and implementing an annual program for diaconate continuing formation. He further assists the diocesan bishop and the designated 21 See BNFPD, no. 21. The phrase “could be either a priest or a deacon” is applied equivalently in this National Directory to the position of the director of the permanent diaconate. 22 BNFPD, no. 21. 23 BNFPD, no. 21.

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