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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Deacon Assignment Board 304 It may be desirable for the diocesan bishop to establish a deacon assign ment board to assist him in assigning and evaluating deacons. Its role would be analogous to that of the priests’ personnel board, which assists the diocesan bishop in ascertaining appropriate and suitable assignments based on the needs of the particular Church and the capabilities of the individual. The establishment of the deacon assignment board could offer a valuable resource to the diocesan bishop and Director of the Per manent Diaconate. If constituted, the diocesan bishop or, in his absence, a cleric designated by the diocesan bishop (e.g., his vicar general, vicar for the clergy) chairs this board. This board should maintain appropriate links to other diocesan entities to ensure a collaborative and integrative approach to the understanding and use of deacons and diaconal ministry throughout the diocese. Norms 1. The diocesan bishop is the one ultimately responsible for the dis cernment and formation of aspirants and candidates, as well as the pastoral care of deacons. He exercises his responsibility personally, as well as through the Director of the Permanent Diaconate, whom he has appointed. The Director of the Permanent Diaconate, who must always be a cleric, is responsible directly to the diocesan bishop or, in his absence, to a cleric whom the bishop has appointed as his delegate. (279) 2. The director of formation, who must be either a priest or a deacon, is appointed by the diocesan bishop to be head of the deacon for mation program. He is directly responsible to the Director of the Permanent Diaconate. (284) 3. The diocesan bishop may set up a formation policy board to assist him and the director of formation in matters of diaconal formation. (296) 4. The director of spiritual formation, who must be a priest, is nomi nated by the director of formation. He is approved and appointed by the diocesan bishop. He personally oversees the spiritual formation

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