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

111 NDPD

The Ministry and Life of Deacons

14. A permanent deacon may not present his name for election to any public office or in any other general election, or accept a nomina tion or an appointment to public office, without the prior written permission of the diocesan bishop. A permanent deacon may not actively and publicly participate in another’s political campaign without the prior written permission of the diocesan bishop. (96) 15. The deacon shall receive an official letter of appointment from his diocesan bishop. (46, 47, 98) 16. Until the decree of appointment is publicly announced by the dioc esan bishop’s office, all parties are bound to confidentiality. (46) 17. Every permanent deacon should satisfy the legal requirements of Social Security benefits or a comparable program. (101) 18. Deacons in full-time employment by the diocese, parish, or agency are to receive remuneration commensurate with the salaries and benefits provided to the lay men or women on staff for that particu lar occupation. (102) 19. In accordance with diocesan policy, deacons in full-time secular employment, as well as those in part-time ministries, are to be reim bursed for legitimate expenses incurred in their ministry. (103) 20. For those admitted into the candidate stage of formation, some financial assistance should be provided for educational needs and mandatory aspects of formation. (105) 21. The diocesan bishop must provide for insurance regarding the lia bility of the diocese for actions taken by a permanent deacon in the course of his public official ministry. The same policies that govern liability for priests in the diocese should be applicable to perma nent deacons. (108) 22. Norms should be established in each diocese regarding the age, health, and other matters that need to be considered regarding a deacon’s resignation from a ministerial office or his retirement from ministerial duties. (111)

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