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

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Preface

Peter. Reflecting fifty years of experience with the reestablished diacon ate in the United States of America, this National Directory will guide and harmonize the formation programs drawn up by each diocese of the conference, which “at times vary greatly from one to another.” 49 17 When a diaconal formation program is introduced or substantially mod ified , or a program previously on hold is reactivated, the diocesan bishop is encouraged to submit a proposal to CCLV for its evaluation. The spe cific elements to be included in the proposal and applied by the commit tee in its review are available from the CCLV’s secretariat. 18 Finally, this document adopts as its own the concluding directive of the Congregation for Catholic Education: May the ordinaries, “to whom the present document is given, ensure that it becomes an object of atten tive reflection in communion with their priests and communities. It will be an important point of reference for those Churches in which the per manent diaconate is a living and active reality; for the others, it will be an effective invitation to appreciate the value of that precious gift of the Spirit which is diaconal service.” 50 19 Gratefully conscious of those who have served on CCLV, the USCCB acknowledges the direction of Most Rev. Michael F. Burbidge, under whose chairmanship the present effort was begun, His Eminence Cardinal Joseph Tobin, CSsR, under whose chairmanship the doc ument’s revisions were composed and approved by the bishops, and Most Rev. James Checchio under whose chairmanship it has been brought to conclusion.

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BNFPD, nos. 2, 14. BNFPD, no. 90.

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