The Bishop | The Presbyterate | The Laity | Brother Deacons | Family | Conflict Resolution

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The Bishop
"A deacon is ordained for service of a diocesan Church.  Ordained by its bishop, the deacon stands in a direct relationship with his diocesan bishop, in communion with whom and under whose authority he exercises his ministry.  By virtue of his ordination, a deacon is canonically incardinated into a specific diocese."  (PDUS #115)
The deacons of the Diocese of Pueblo are accountable to their Bishop for their ministry.  Permanent deacons, localized because of their canonical assignments, are extensions of the Bishop's pastoral care of the entire flock.  Thus, there needs to be a close relationship between the Bishop and the deacons ordained for his service and bound to him by obedience.  This relationship should be characterized by open and frequent communication about the respective needs of the Diocese on the one hand, and those of the Deacon Community on the other.
 
The Presbyterate
Although deacons in the Diocese of Pueblo are assigned by the Bishop and remain ultimately accountable to him their immediate supervision is most often a pastor or another priest in order to carry out the mission of the diocese.
"Deacons exercise their distinct ministry in communion not only with the bishop but also with priests.  The priesthood and the diaconate are neither identical nor competitive, but rather, complementary ministries.  The diaconate is not an abridged form of the priesthood, but a distinct and full order in its own right.  Both priests and deacons should understand, then, that the diaconate is not to be thought of or exercised on the model of the priesthood.  Deacons and priests should have a genuine respect for each other and for the integrity of the two distinct ministries.  For the good of the Church, the two ministries must be exercised in communion with one another."  (PDUS #121)
Appropriate and adequate communication is indispensable for a fruitful relationship between priest and deacon.  Mutual respect, fraternal unity, freedom, and honesty are of paramount importance.  It would be wrong to foster a sense of identity between priests and deacons; what should be nurtured is the recognition of the real interdependence between the two orders as they strive to accomplish Christ's mission through his Church.
 
The Laity
The deacons of the Diocese of Pueblo must always remember that the same Second Vatican Council that restored the permanent diaconate also gave great impetus to the empowerment of the laity in the affairs of the Church.  One major accomplishment of Vatican II must not impede another.
Deacons should consider it an important part of their ministries to facilitate the active participation of the laity in all aspects of Church life.  This collaborative ministry is the right of the laity by virtue of their baptism, confirmation, and individual charisms.  The deacon holds a position from which he can most appropriately serve as liaison, promoter, and integrator of all the varied activities within the Church - but most especially in the ministries of charity and justice.
 
Brother Deacons
Each deacon of the Diocese of Pueblo should maintain a loving, fraternal relationship with every other deacon.  Together, they should exemplify diaconal service to one another.  Whether active in ministry on a part-time or full-time basis, whether assigned at the parish or diocesan level, whether urban or rural, whether newly ordained or with many years of service to the diocese - all are deacons, servants of the People of God in the Diocese of Pueblo.
 
Family
For centuries, the Latin Church has had the experience of only celibate ordained ministers.  Experience of ordained ministers who are married is recent.  Special attention must be given to the mutual relationship between the sacrament of marriage and the sacrament of order.  It is apparent that self-giving love is at the heart of both the sacrament of marriage and the sacrament of orders.  Deacons and their wives need to appreciate the potential for an integrated spirituality that relates the two sacraments.
"A married deacon must never lost sight of a practical order of priorities:  the sacrament of matrimony precedes the sacrament of orders, and thus established a practical priority in the deacon's life.  Consequently, he must be able to support his wife and family before he can be acceptable as an ordained minister.  The marriage bond should  be enriched by the sacrament of orders, just as public ministry is enriched by married ordained ministers of the Gospel."  (PDUS #107)
The wife of the deacon may become involved in a type of team ministry with her deacon husband.  On the other hand, she may already be involved in a distinct ministry apart from the diaconal ministry of her husband, she may now wish to consider a type of ministry she had not foreseen but for which she is now significantly qualified."  (PDUS #111)  Pastors and other ministry supervisors in the Diocese of Pueblo should recognize the ministerial potential present in the wives or ordained deacons.  Should they choose to offer themselves in ministry, this potential should be utilized in an appropriate manner.
"Insofar as possible, depending upon their ages, the children should be informed and involved in the formation of their candidate father.  This should be to the extent that they are interested and appreciate to what degree their lives will be affected by his ordination."  (PDUS #112)
The Code of Canon Law preserves the ancient tradition whereby a married deacon who has been widowed may not marry again.  However, for the good of the Church or the family of the deacon, the Holy See may grant a dispensation.
Widows of permanent deacons should be offered consolation, understanding, and emotional support from the Deacon Community and the diocese as a whole.  They are still considered a part of that Community, and their gifts and wisdom should be considered a treasure.
 
Conflict Resolution
Virtually all human experience suggests that the best avenue for conflict resolution is to attempt reconciliation at the lowest level possible.  The application of this principle of subsidiarity has  roots not only in Scripture, but also in the documents of Vatican II and in the Code of Canon Law.
Because the deacon is a public figure in the Church, and is therefore regarded by many as one of its official spokesman, he must exercise extraordinary discretion in situations when conflicts arise, whether he is a principle party in the dispute, or an advocate for one side or another.
Perhaps the most common and vexing example of a conflict involving a deacon is one between a deacon and his pastor or supervisor.  The lowest level at which this particular conflict can and should be resolved is between the deacon and the pastor/supervisor.  This means, among other things, that the deacon should not escalate his grievance to a high level of supervision without first having sat down in charity with his pastor/supervisor first.  However, should this not bring a mutually acceptable conclusion, then the deacon should prayerfully consider whether the matter is of such importance as to demand bringing it to the Deacon Director.
 
 
 

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