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

NDPD 304

National Directory for Permanent Deacons

of each participant and provides an orientation to other spiritual directors, who must also be priests and who may be chosen by the aspirants or candidates with the approval of the diocesan bishop. (286, 287) 5. The coordinator of pastoral formation, who corresponds to “the pas tor (or other minister)” required by the Basic Norms for the Formation of Permanent Deacons of the Congregation for Catholic Education, is nominated by the director of formation. 25 He is a cleric who is approved and appointed by the diocesan bishop. (288, 289) 6. Professors are nominated by the director of formation and then are approved and appointed by the diocesan bishop. (290) 7. Mentors for aspirants and candidates, who are to be knowledgeable and competent to assist the director of formation, are nominated from among priests and deacons by the director of formation. They also are approved and appointed by the diocesan bishop. Mentors are charged with closely following the formation of those committed to their care, offering support and encouragement. (293) 8. If a distance-learning model is incorporated into the diocesan for mation program, it is the responsibility of the diocesan bishop to verify that the course of study offered fulfills the requirements of this Directory . It must be complete, be in harmony with magisterial teaching, and be taught by a competent instructor. (275-278) 9. The diocesan bishop should appoint a Director of the Permanent Diaconate, who should be either a priest or a deacon. At the dis cretion of the diocesan bishop, the Director of the Permanent Diaconate serves as the diocesan bishop’s representative in direct ing the post-ordination stage of formation and assists the diocesan bishop in supervising diocesan deacons. This director also coordi nates the program for the newly ordained deacons. (43, 299-302)

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BNFPD, no. 24.

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