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

NDPD 150

National Directory for Permanent Deacons

150 Given that the married deacon should be a model for Christian family life, careful examination of a participant’s marital history is essential. Men who are in an irregular marriage and have not yet approached a marriage tribunal, or men who are discovered to be in a marriage cel ebrated without canonical form which has not yet been convalidated, cannot be considered for a diaconal formation program until their marital status is regularized in the Church. Men who have been civ illy divorced must receive a declaration of nullity prior to entry into a diaconal formation program. Any irregularities need to be resolved prior to entry into a formation program. The circumstances surrounding those men who have entered into more than one marriage or who first entered into civil unions only later recognized by the Church require the exercise of great caution. In the latter cases, the participant’s attitude toward church teaching on marriage needs scrutiny. The same caution applies to applicants who have received a declaration of matrimonial nullity; such men should be carefully screened. It is important to ascer tain whether and how previous obstacles to a marriage commitment or possible scandal might affect their viability as participants for the per manent diaconate. Care must be taken to ascertain the canonical decla ration of nullity by reviewing the relevant documentation to ensure that the reasons and circumstances that serve as warrants for the declaration of nullity are fully disclosed to the diocesan bishop. All such cases should be carefully weighed. 151 Children of participants also need to be included in the formation pro cess in “appropriate ways.” 61 This will depend, among other consider ations, on their ages, circumstances, and interests. These occasions pro vide opportunities for parents and their children to support and assist each other in keeping communication open and expectations clear. Younger children and teens especially need to be encouraged to express their concerns about the public role of this ministry and how it affects

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BNFPD, no. 56; see DMLPD, nos. 61, 81.

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