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

NDPD 155

National Directory for Permanent Deacons

To achieve these formation goals, the unmarried participant should be incorporated into a mentoring group composed of priests and celibate deacons from whom he can receive support and encouragement, a group where a dialogue on the challenges and a faith-filled response to a celi bate lifestyle can be fostered. Multicultural Diversity 155 Deacons are called to serve a multiracial, multiethnic, multicultural Church. This changing face of the Catholic Church in the United States of America has a significant effect on diaconal formation. The cultures and traditions of those in diaconal formation—mirroring as they do the rich diversity of gifts and unity in faith—need to be respected, valued, and understood. Formation must be sensitive and responsive to the cir cumstances of different cultures, 64 especially in their unique patterns of learning and of expressing their understanding. There should be formal instruction regarding the developmental role and function of culture in the life of the individual and community. Recognizing the cultural diver sity of the Catholic Church in the United States of America and incorpo rating experiences and an appreciation of it all enhance the present and future ministerial effectiveness of each participant. 156 Formation objectives and methods should accommodate an appropriate inculturation of each participant to foster his effective service within a multicultural community. Given the ethnic and racial diversity of our national population and the mobility that is so characteristic of our society, a participant in diaconal formation ought to have meaningful cross-cul tural experiences and specific training for ministry in his own cultural con text. This would include reasonable levels of language study in areas where large numbers of Catholics are not proficient in English. As an ordained servant-leader in a Church called to welcome and embrace all people, the deacon should be a living example of that spirit, one who is particularly

64

BNFPD, no. 10.

78