National Conference of Catholic Bishops

Secretariat for the Diaconate

BASIC NORMS FOR THE FORMATION OF PERMANENT DEACONS

DIRECTORY FOR THE MINISTRY AND LIFE OF PERMANENT DEACONS

and

JOINT DECLARATION AND INTRODUCTION

Compiled by Deacon Rolf Busemann, Ph.D., Hildesheim, Germany

Translated from the German by Deacon William F. Schmitz, M.A., Rochester, N.Y.

This topical (subject) index is intended to provide a more precise overview of the subject matter contained in both Vatican documents, to include the Joint Declaration and Introduction of the issuing congregations. It deals with the terminology of the documents, which in a few instances has been enhanced by additional familiar expressions. With respect to the Diaconate, essential statements have been quoted word-for-word.

The following reference abbreviations are used to identify the source document(s):

I = Joint Declaration and Introduction

N = Basic Norms for the Formation of Permanent Deacons (Congregation for Catholic Education)

D = Directory for the Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons (Congregation for the Clergy)

References are most often followed by the respective Article (paragraph) number. This index

also includes a list of Scriptural references.

The topical index has been arranged according to the following major categories:

Continuing Education:

Deacon: should read books chosen according to ecclesiastical criteria (D 65)

Initial Assignments should be supervised by an exemplary priest (D 77)

Special higher level education for qualified deacons (D 72)

Specialized training required (D 26)

2. "DIACONIA" OF THE BASIC FORMS OF CHURCH MINISTRIES

Charity is the soul of the ecclesial community (D 56)

Deacon:

Assists the bishop and priests in the ministry of charity (D 37)

Raises diaconal consciousness of the ecclesial community, fosters a spirit of charity within it (D 38)

Serves suffering brothers and sisters (D 49, 51)

Serves the priest (D 22, 37, 44)

Service to the family (D 61)

Service of charity entrusted to deacons by the bishop and priests (D 38)

Following Christ in a life of diaconal service (D 50)

Following Christ, the Servant of God (D 45)

Lifestyle, modest (D 9)

Loving attention to one's brothers and sisters (N 32)

Munera are exercised from the specific perspective of service (N 9)

are three-fold (D 22, 39) (N 9)

Pastoral care of the sick can be entrusted to deacons (D 34)

Pastoral care to families by deacons under the authority of the pastor (D 33)

Pastoral care to ethnic groups (D 42)

Precedence of charity over liturgy and witness (N 9)

Service to sisters and brothers (D 51)

Spirit of service (D 44)

Supplying for the priest in preparing the faithful for death and in bring them Viaticum (D 34)

Annual meetings (D 6)

Children of deacons (D 61)

Cooperation of the deacon with priests (D 23)

Cooperation with other service organizations (D 41)

Deacon: animator(s) of the community (D 71)

Deacon council (D 80)

Deacon circles (support groups) (D 6)

Exchange of experiences on a regular basis (D 6)

Marriage of the deacon (N 68)

Married deacons (D 61) (N 37)

Promoting a spirit of community (D 6)

Service: to the family (D 61)

Assisting as deacon of the Eucharistic celebration (D 32)

Baptism, permission of the pastor (D 31)

Deacon:

assists the bishop and priests during liturgies (D 28, 30, 32)

is the minister of sacramentals

is an ordinary minister of Holy Communion (D 32)

should assist at every Eucharistic celebration as possible (D 29)

Liturgical celebrations (D 25, 30, 32, 36)

munera are to be exercised from the specific perspective of service (N 9)

three-fold (D 22, 39)

Marriage, outside of Mass and only with proper delegation (D 27)

Preaching (D 23, 24, 25

Presider at liturgical celebrations (D 25, 32, 33, 36)

Presiding at Sunday services in the absence of a priest (D 32)

Proclaiming the Gospel (D 24)

Sacramentals (D 36)

Service of the Sacred (D 22)

Spirituality of liturgical service (D 53)

Sunday services, deacons presiding in the absence of a priest (D 32)

Bridge role of the deacon ( D9, 26)

Catechesis by the deacon (D 23, 25)

Catechesis of Marriage: married deacons can be a great help (D 33)

Deacon:

serves the people of God in the ministry of the Word in collaboration with the bishop and his priests

Gospel, proclaimed by the deacon (D 24)

Homily (D 25)

Ministry (service, munera):

of teaching (D 22)

of sanctifying (D 22)

of guiding (D 22)

Missio ad gentes, openness of the deacon to (D 27) (I 3)

Missio canonica (D 8)

Missionary endeavor (D 27)

munera will be exercised from the specific perspective of service (N 9)

three-fold (D 22, 39) (N 9)

New Evangelization (D 26) (I 3)

Office and occupation / profession (D 12)

Preaching (D 23, 24, 25)

Proclamation, participation of the deacon in the ministry of priests (D 23, 50)

Religious instruction (D 26)

Spirituality of the ministry of the Word (D 52)

Teaching in schools and universities (D 26)

3. FORMATION (OF THE ASPIRANT AND/OR CANDIDATE)

Acolyte, ministry of (N 57)

Active membership in a Christian community (N 33)

Admission to Candidacy (N 45,48):

Preferably celebrated on a feast day (N 47)

Preparatory retreat (N 47)

Admission to formation by the bishop (N 40)

Apostolic involvement (prior to applying) (N 33)

Apostolic zeal

Aspirant and candidate (N 21)

Basic Norms: an aid for guiding and harmonizing formation programs (I) (N 2)

Bishop and formation:

Accepts candidates for ordination to the Office of Deacon (N 62)

Admits aspirants to candidacy for ordination (N 45)

Appoints the director of formation (priest or deacon) (N 20)

Appoints the tutor (N 22)

Approves spiritual directors (N 22)

Decides concerning admission to ministries of Lector and Acolyte (N 58)

Evaluates the suitability of the candidate through careful scrutiny (N 62)

Institutes candidates into the ministries of Lector and Acolyte (N 58)

Ordains deacons (N 64)

Should get to know aspirants and candidates personally (N 19)

Call (N 41)

Candidates:

And aspirants (N 21)

Of a more mature age (N 50)

Young (N 50)

Certificates, of the Director of Formation (N 44)

Charisma and service (N 39)

Communities of origin (N 27)

Curriculum Vitae (N 40)

Diaconal attitudes (N 72)

Diaconal ordination (N 60)

Discernment, ecclesial (N 29)

Discernment, of the aspirant following the preparatory phase (N 44)

Families, which oppose the choice of vocation (N 27)

Formation:

Dimensions: human, spiritual, theological, pastoral (N 55, 66, 88)

Inclusion of wife and children (N 56)

In freedom (N 69)

Organizational model (N 51)

Formation community, aspirants and candidates (N 26)

Formation contents (N 81):

According to Come e a conoscenza (N 12)

Careful study of Sacred Scripture, of Tradition, of the liturgy and the life of the Church (D 23)

Catechesis (D 23, 25)

Doctrinal formation (N 79, 84)

Evangelization, sacramental preparation (N 26)

Examinations (N 82)

Human education (N 66, 70)

Library, acquisition of a personal (N 84)

Liturgy (D 28)

Missionary consciousness, to awaken (N 88)

Pastoral formation (N 85, 88)

Pastoral internship (N 87, 42)

Pastoral theology (N 86)

Spiritual formation (N 71, 78)

Training in freedom (N 69)

Training in morality (N 68)

Formation dimensions (N 66, 88) – Formation contents

Formation of conscience (N 69)

Formation level: above that of a simple catechist and in some way, analogous to that of a priest (N 1)

Formation Planning, criteria (N 80)

Formation program: duration of at least three years in addition to the preparatory phase (N 49)

Formators, assignments (N 42)

Human education, objectives (N 66)

Human maturity, aspects (N 70)

Human qualities of the deacon (N 66)

Lector, ministry of (N 57)

Marriage, of aspirants must be of several years' duration (N 37)

Married state of life (N 37, 68)

Members of institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life [religious orders] (N 39, 52)

Mentality of contestation or of opposition to authority (D 8, 12)

Minimum age (N 35)

Missio ad gentes: openness of the deacon to (D 27)

Oath of loyalty (D 52) (N 63)

Obedience (N 76) (D 8)

Ordination to the Office of Deacon (N 60, 65) (I 1):

Admission to ordination (N 62)

Baptismal certificate (N 61)

Candidate's ordination request (N 60)

Certificate of studies (N 62)

Confirmation certificate (N 61)

Director's certificate (N 62)

Health certificate [physical and psychological] (N 62)

Marriage certificate (N 61)

Oath of fidelity (N 63)

Obligation of celibacy (N 63)

Ordination dimissorial letters (N 64)

Ordination documentation of the Director of Formation, Content (N 62)

Ordination Mass, on a Sunday (N 65)

Ordination requirements according to Code of Canon Law [CIC] (N 31)

Ordination retreat, minimum of five days (N 65)

Profession of faith (N 63)

Wife, written consent of (N 61)

Wives and children, participation in the Rite of Ordination (N 65)

Parish (N 27)

Pastor and formation:

Introduces the candidate to and accompanies him in suitable pastoral activities (N 24)

Is chosen (in his role of mentor) by the director of formation (N 24)

Offers the candidate a lively ministerial communion (N 24)

Presents the candidate to the bishop on behalf of the community (N 40)

Reflects on, evaluates experiences with the candidate; reports to the director of formation (N 24)

Pastoral formation (N 85, 88)

Pastoral internship (N 42, 54, 87)

Pastoral theology, formation in (N 86)

Paths of formation = organizational model (N 51, 53)

Pre-admission basic formation (N 83)

Preparatory phase of formation (N 41, 44) - - Director of Formation:

Call (vocation), careful evaluation of (N 41)

Certificates of the Director of Formation (N 44)

Discernment, free and self-conscious (N 44)

Duration, appropriate in length (N 41)

Exchange of experiences, critical (N 43)

Instructions (N 43)

Introduction to a deeper knowledge of the theology, spirituality and service of the deacon (N 41)

Prayer gatherings (N 43)

Reflection (N 43)

Responsible individual: Director of Formation (N 42)

Spiritual director (N 42)

Wife, inclusion of (N 43) Presentation of aspirants to the bishop (N 40)

Professional activity / work (N 34) (D 12)

Professors, assignments (N 25)

Psychological Counseling (N 70)

Request for enrollment among the candidates (N 48)

Requirements for the aspirant and the deacon:

Ability to relate to others

Absence of a mentality of contestation or of opposition to authority (D 8, 12)

Affable (N 67)

Affective maturity (N 68)

Accessibility (D 22)

According to 1 Timothy (N 30)

Capacity for dialogue and communication (N 32)

Capable (N 67)

Compassion (N 66)

Communications skills (N 67)

Critical evaluation / exchange for reflection and comparison (N 43)

Discreet (N 67)

Disposed to alleviate poverty (N 32)

Equilibrium (N 32)

Generous (N 67)

He must be knowledgeable about the cultures, aspirations and problems of his time (D 43)

Industriousness (N 32)

Knowledge of the cultures, aspirations and problems of his time (D 43)

Language competence (N 22)

Lifestyle, consistent (N 66)

Love of the Truth (N 66)

Minimal age (N 35)

Natural interior inclination to serve the hierarchy and the Christian community (D 49)

One who keeps his given word (N 66)

Open to brotherly relationships (N 67)

Openness to dialogue (D 22)

Prudent (N 67)

Psychological maturity (N 32)

Quick to console (N 67)

Quick to forgive (N 67)

Reliability (N 67)

Respect for every person (N 66)

Sense of belonging to the ordained community (N 76)

Sense of justice (N 66)

Sense of responsibility (N 32)

Sincerity (N 68)

Spirit of diaconia (service) (N 32)

Spirit of hospitality (N 67)

Understanding (N 67)

Willingness to manifest capacity for obedience and fraternal communion (N 32)

Zealous (N 67)

Requirements for the spiritual life of the deacon and the aspirant and / or the candidate:

Ascetical practices, daily (D 70)

Church, love for the (D 57) (N 32)

Days of reflection (D 56)

Devotion, Eucharistic and Marian (N 32)

Eucharistic adoration, daily (D 54)

Eucharistic celebration, daily participation in the (D 54) (N 73)

Humble and strong sense of the Church (N 32) (D 57)

Lectio divina (D 56) (N 74)

Leitmotif (dominant theme) is service (N 11)

Liturgy of the Hours (D 35) (N 75)

Mother of the Lord, love for (D 57)

Obedience, vision of and promise of (N 76)

Penance, Sacrament of Penance (D 54, 56) (N 73)

Prayer, intensely contemplative (D 56) (N 32)

Private contemplation, daily (D 70)

Reflection (N 43)

Retreats, prior to admission (N 45), every two years (D 70), prior to ordination (N 65)

Rosary, daily (D 57) (N 72)

Spiritual companionship, spiritual director (N 20, 23, 42, 54, 70) (D 58, 66)

Wisdom (N 32)

Scrutiny (N 62)

Self-formation: does not imply isolation, closure or independence from formators (N 28)

Spiritual direction (N 54)

Spiritual director (N 42, 70, 77)

Spiritual formation (N 71, 78): requirements related to the spiritual life of the deacon and the aspirant

and / or the candidate

Technical Instruction (N 86)

Tutor, assignments (N 22, 70)

Unmarried state of life (N 36, 38)

Widowers (N 38)

Wife of the deacon (D 61) (N 43, 78):

Consent

Formation program for wives

Inclusion of the wife and children (N 42, 56, 78)

4. JURIDICAL (CANONICAL) STATUS OF THE DIACONATE

AND/OR DEACON

Celibacy, Obligation of (N 63)

Celibate Deacons (D 17, 18, 59, 60) (N 36)

Clerical Garb (D 10)

Directory: Purpose (I), Legally Binding Character (I)

Incardination (N 8)

Irregularities (N 35)

Loss of Diaconal State (D 21)

Marital Status of Deacons (D 46, 47, 48)

Married Deacons (D 61) (N 37)

Oath of Fidelity (D 52) (N 63)

Parish Pastoral Council "ex officio "Membership of Deacon (D 41) (N 40)

Part-time Assignment of a Deacon (D 8, 19, 3)

Political Party Involvement (D 13)

Publications, Permission of Ordinary (D 26)

Radio and Television Programs, Participation (D 26)

Re-Marriage Dispensation (N 38-44)

Re-Marriage Prohibition (N 38)

Remuneration, Appropriate (D 15, 16)

Residential Obligation of the Deacon (D 14)

Right of Association (D 11)

Secular Occupations/Work of Deacons (D 12, N 34)

Trade Unions (D 13)

Trade Union Cooperation (D 12)

Widower Deacons, Perpetual Continence (D61)

Widowers (N 38)

Ad pascendum (N 1)

Associations, forming of (D 11)

Availability (D 8)

Bishop and deacon (D 11, 23, 48):

Deacon is a collaborator of the bishop (D 76)

Direct and immediate relationship between every deacon and his bishop (D 11)

Participation of the deacon in the Office of Bishop (D 78)

Should personally get to know every aspirant to the diaconate [bishop] (N 19)

Bridge role of the deacon (D 9, 26)

Collegial character of ministerial Office (I 1)

Come e a cognoscenza (N 1)

Clerical garb (D 10)

Conformation with Christ (N 5)

Deacon not to be relegated to marginal duties / duties normally entrusted to non-ordained faithful (D 40)

Deacons:

Animators of the community (D 71)

Assist bishops and priests in the diaconia of charity (D 37)

Assist bishops and priests in the liturgy (D 28, 30, 32)

Comprise the lowest grade of the sacred hierarchy (I 2)

Employers (D 11)

Empowered by ordination to act as a representative of Christ, the Head, in His threefold function of Priest, Prophet and King (I 1)

Have precedence over the non-ordained lay faithful (D 41)

Necessarily dependent upon the bishop in the exercise of their power (N 8)

Not deeply involved laity, but ministers of Christ (D 40)

Ordained shepherds (D 11, 44)

Participate in a lower grade of ecclesial ministerial Office (N 8)

Represent Christ, the Servant of God (D 38, 43, 45, 47)

Serve the people of God in the ministry of the Word in communion with the bishop and his presbyters (D 23, 50)

Serve the priest (D 22, 37, 44)

Serve their brothers and sisters in need of salvation (D 49, 51)

Without them, is the Church unthinkable (I 2)

Diaconate:

Begins with the institution of the Seven (I 2)

In missionary territories (I 3)

In the workplace (D 12, 26)

Important enrichment for the Church's mission (I 3)

Integration into the Church (N 4)

Is participation in the one ecclesiastical ministry (N 5)

Its proper and permanent hierarchical grade (I 3)

Living and personal sign of the ministry of Christ (N 4)

No inappropriate activity (D 11)

Not a profession (D 11)

Special conformation to Christ, Lord and Servant of all (N 5)

Special sacramental sign of Christ the Servant (N 5)

Specific participation in and re-visualization of the ministry of Christ

Theological understanding of (N 3)

Transitional step to the priesthood (I 2, 3)

Diaconia:

Most explicitly represents the ministry of the deacon (N 9)

Significant part of the Church's mission (N 5)

Ecclesiastical Office and work/profession (D 12)

Functions (munera) of the deacon:

Driving force for service, i.e. diaconia, which is a significant part of the Church's mission (N 5)

Express the needs and desires of the Christian communities (N 5)

Guidance of dispersed Christian communities on behalf of the pastor or the bishop (D 41)

Instruction and exhortation of the people (N 9)

Munus of guidance (D 23) (I 1)

New Evangelization (I 3) (D 26)

Proclamation of Sacred Scripture (N 9)

Social welfare guidance (D 38)

Threefold diaconia (D 22, 39)

Greater and more direct presence of ministers outside of existing pastoral structures (I 3)

Guidance functions of the deacon:

Administration of goods and services (D 38)

Guidance function (munus) (D 23) (I 1)

Guidance of dispersed Christian communities on behalf of the pastor or bishop (D 41)

Guidance of social welfare activities (D 38)

Ministry of guidance (D 22)

Ordained shepherds (D 11, 44)

Presider at liturgical celebrations (D 25, 32, 33, 36)

Hierarchical structure of Office (I 2)

Hierarchy:

Deacon is a member of the hierarchy (D 1) (I 3)

Deacons comprise the lowest grade of the sacred hierarchy (I 2)

Diaconate is a proper and permanent hierarchical grade (I 3)

Deacons participate in a lower degree of ecclesiastical ministerial Office (N 8)

Independent activity – the exercise of ordained diaconal Office (D 11)

Indispensability of the Office of Priesthood (I 2)

Laity and the deacon:

Deacons are to be properly differentiated from the laity (D 11)

Deacons have precedence over the unordained lay faithful (D 41)

Deacons are not deeply involved laypersons, but rather ministers of Christ

Ministerial Office (N 8) (I 1)

Ministerial character of Ecclesiastical Office in general (I 1) (N 8)

Ministry of the deacon (munera):

Is the ministry of Jesus Christ (I 2)

-Of charity is entrusted to the deacon by the bishop and the priests (D 38)

-Of guiding (D 22)

-Of sanctification (D 22)

-Of teaching (D 22)

-To the family (D 61)

Missio ad gentes, openness of the deacon to (D 27) (I 3)

Missio canonica (D 8)

Munera [munus]:

Are to exercised from the specific perspective of diaconia (N 9)

Threefold (D 22, 39) (N 9)

Obedience (D 8) (N 76)

Ordained state of the deacon (D 46, 47, 48)

Ordination [to the Office of Deacon] is a grade of Holy Orders (N 7)

Ordination to the priesthood of widowed and unmarried deacons is the rare exception (D 5)

Participation in the Office of Bishop (D 8)

Part-time duties (D 8)

Priest shortage, supplying for priests (D 3, 41) (I 2)

Priests and deacons (D 23):

Both serve the people of God in solidarity (N 8)

Charitable activities are entrusted to deacons by priests (D 38)

Cooperation between priests and deacons (D 23)

Deacons have a special relationship with priests

Deacons are not ordained social workers (N 9)

Deacons serve priests (D 22, 37, 44)

Deacons supplying for priests (D 41) (I 2)

Deacons supplying for priests in ministering to the dying and bringing Viaticum (D 34)

Proclamation, participation of deacons in the ministry of the priests (D 23)

Professional duties (D 12)

Profession vs. Diaconate (D 11, 63)

Rite of Ordination to the rank of deacon imparts a sharing in the diaconia of Christ (48)

Threefold diaconia [munus, munera] (D 22, 39)

Viri probati from the ranks of permanent deacons (D 5)

Vocation (D 63) (N 29):

Continuation of one's vocation in continuing formation (D 63)

Criteria (N 29, 39)

Ecclesiastical examination (N 29)

To family life (N 68)

Bishop

Decides whether or not diaconate will be restored in his diocese (N 16)

Establishes a diocesan formation structure on the basis of national ratio [Norms] (N 16)

Must provide for a catechesis of the diaconate, so that the service of deacons will be understood correctly (N 16)

Delegates a priest to look after the well-being of deacons (D 3)

Bureaucracy, every form of, to be avoided (D 42)

Clergy remuneration (D 16)

Deacon circles [support groups] (D 6)

Deacon council (D 80)

Decree of Office [ordination] (D 8, 40, 41)

Delegate of the bishop (=Episcopal appointee) (D 6)

Diocesan finance councils, nomination of deacons to serve on (D 38)

Diocesan responsibility to care for the widows and children of deceased deacons (D 20)

Episcopal Conference(s) (N 51):

Are always requested to develop their own respectives rationes [Norms] and to submit them to the Holy See for examination and approval (N 14)

Decide whether or not the diaconate will be restored in their respective countries (N 12)

Episcopal delegate must be a priest (D 3,6)

Exchange of experiences on a regular basis (D 6)

Loss of diaconal state, in accordance with canonical norms (D 21)

Ordination of a widowed deacon to the priesthood always a very rare exception (D 5)

Remuneration of deacons (D 16)

Retirees as deacons (D 19)

Salary, waiving of (D 15)

Social security for deacons (D 15, 16)

Standard remuneration, there is no (D 15, 36)

Unemployed deacons (D 20)

Love:

The core of diaconal existence

Realization thereof in the life of a celibate deacon

Obedience, vision and promise of (D 8) (N 76)

Radical availability of the deacon (D 8) (R 32)

Requirements for the spiritual life of the deacon and the aspirant and / or the candidate:

Ascetical practices, daily (D 70)

Availability of the deacon to others (D 67)

Chastity in the deacon's marriage (D 61)

Communications skills (N 67)

Church, love for the (D 57) (N 32)

Days of reflection (D 56)

Devotion, Eucharistic and Marian (N 32)

Eucharistic adoration, daily (D 54)

Eucharistic celebration, daily participation in the (D 54) (N 73)

Humble and strong sense of the Church (N 32) (D 57)

Lectio divina (D 56) (N 74)

Leitmotif (dominant theme) is service (N 11)

Liturgy of the Hours (D 35) (N 75)

Love of the Church and her mission (D 57) (N 32)

Mother of the Lord, love for (D 57)

Obedience, vision of and promise of (N 76)

Penance, Sacrament of Penance (D 54, 56) (N 73)

Prayer, intensely contemplative (D 56) (N 32)

Private contemplation, daily (D 70)

Reflection (N 43)

Retreats, prior to admission (N 45), every two years (D 70), prior to ordination (N 65)

Rosary, daily (D 57) (N 72)

Spiritual companionship, spiritual director (N 20, 23, 42, 54, 70) (D 58, 66)

Wisdom (N 32)

Selflessness of the deacon:

Exceptionally selfless efforts (D 26)

Giving over of his entire self (D 44)

Living selflessly (D 50)

Selfless devotion (D 21)

Total self-sacrifice (D 8)

Unselfish total sacrifice (N 72)

Spiritual Director:

Can be freely chosen by the deacon (D 66)

Must be approved by the bishop (D 66)

Should review the deacon's spiritual program plan (D 70)

Spiritual direction (D 58)

Spirituality of the deacon:

Call to holiness (D 45)

Following Christ, the Servant of God (D 45)

Following Christ by living a life of diaconal service (D 50)

Primacy of the spiritual life of the deacon (D 50)

Service of charity (D 55)

Service of liturgy (D 53)

Service of the Word (D 52)

Service to one's brothers and sisters (D 51)

Spirit of serving (D 44)

Witness for the holiness of marriage and the family (D 61)

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