General Remarks  |  Assignments  |  Agreements  |  Faculties  |  In General  |  Marriage  |  Liturgy  |  Sacraments 
|  Dispensations  |  Faculties for Nonincardinated Resident Deacons

 

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General Remarks
The deacon is ordained for service in the local Church through the sacrament of Holy Orders.  Thus, he shares in this sacrament with the bishops and priests.  However, the lifestyle of the deacon is more like that of a layman.  The deacon does not live in a rectory, nor does he leave his job, nor does he assume a different identity.  It cannot be over-stressed that the primary obligations of a permanent deacon who is married remain to his family and his job.  So important is this condition and the understanding of it, that no one can be accepted as a candidate if his family or livelihood are in any way jeopardized.  Furthermore the approval and support of spouse and children are essential to candidacy and ordination.
Precisely because of his primary obligations, the deacon will usually be limited in his ministry.  No one is expected to be competent in all fields, nor is there ever sufficient time to devote oneself to the wide variety of service ministries available.  Though there are full-time, paid deacons, their cases are exceptions.  The majority of deacons serve voluntarily and without financial compensation, continuing to rely upon their jobs for their livelihood.
 
Assignments
Permanent deacons are ordained by the Bishop of Pueblo for service to the entire Diocese of Pueblo.  "It is the bishop who assigns a deacon to a particular ministry.  The principal criteria for this assignment are the pastoral need of the diocese, the needs of the local communities, and the personal qualifications and abilities of the deacons, as these have been discerned in his previous experience and the course of his formation."  (PDUS #116)
The scope of a deacon's ministry is determined by the universal law of the Church, by the faculties granted him by the Bishop, and by the terms of the letter of appointment given him by the Bishop.  The usual norm for diaconal assignments in the Diocese of Pueblo will include a basic parish assignment.  Assignments involving specific ministries or ministries for other institutions may be developed.  All diaconal assignments are made at the discretion of the Bishop of Pueblo and are made by letter personally signed by him.  The Bishop, or someone delegate by him, is responsible for coordinating and recommendation all deacon assignments.
Initial assignment of newly ordained deacons will normally be to the parish/agency which sponsored the candidate and will be for a period of three years, and is renewable upon review.
The possibility of reassignment of a deacon from one parish/institution to another parish/institution may be initiated by either the Bishop, someone delegated by the Bishop, or the deacon himself.  Reassignment will take into account input from all concerned:  the deacon, the pastor/parish director/pastoral supervisor to which the deacon is presently assigned and the respective personnel of the proposed assignment.  In no case will reassignment action take place without communication with all concerned.
Deacons who have moved into the Diocese of Pueblo and have established permanent residency should contact the pastor/parish director/pastoral supervisor as well as the diocese to apply for faculties (see below) and assignment.  No assignment will be made without prior consultation of the pastor/parish director/pastoral supervisor.  Initial assignments for deacons moving into the Diocese of Pueblo will be for three years, and are renewable upon review.
 
Agreements
The importance of a written agreement between a deacon and his pastor/pastoral supervisor cannot be overemphasized.
"It is very important that the particular ministry assignment to a deacon by his bishop be very clearly spelled out, preferably in a written document of mission.  It should always contain a clear delineation of responsibilities, that is, of the expectations of the diocese, of the particular community in and for which the deacon serves, and of the deacon himself.   Such job descriptions will go far to prevent misunderstandings and disappointments arising among either the deacons themselves or other members of the Church.  This mission should be regularly evaluated and reviewed and may be revised when changes in church needs or in the development of the deacon himself suggest it." (PDUS #117)
Every deacon ministering in the Diocese of Pueblo must have a current Ministry Agreement in effect.  This agreement must be effected with the parish or institution to which the deacon is assigned.  This agreement should also spell out the amount and type of reimbursements and/or compensation the deacon may expect from the parish/institution (See Section H of this manual).  Please see Appendix II for specific items to be included in Ministry Agreements.
 
Faculties
 
In General
Deacons with canonical assignment within the Diocese of Pueblo enjoy the following faculties:  to solemnly proclaim the gospel at Mass and at other liturgical functions, to baptize, to witness Marriages, to conduct the Rites of Christians Burial apart from Mass, and to celebrate Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
 
Marriage
Deacons with canonical assignment within the Diocese of Pueblo enjoy the faculties:
1.  To assist at marriages within the boundaries of the parish to which they are assigned. (CIC 1111)
2.  To assist at the marriage of both parishioners and non-parishioners within their parochial jurisdiction, provided that one of the parties is of the Latin rite.  (CIC 1109)
3.  To delegate the faculty, in individual instances, to assist at marriages within their own parochial jurisdiction, to other priests and deacons (CIC 1111)  This delegation is to be given to a particular priest or deacon for a specific marriage.
 
Liturgy
Deacons with canonical assignment within the Diocese of Pueblo enjoy the faculty to preach, providing that this faculty has been granted specifically to the individual deacon in writing by the Bishop.
 
Sacraments
Deacons do not have the faculty to confirm converts whom they have received into the Church, nor to administer the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick.  (CIC 1103)
 
Dispensations
Deacons with canonical assignment within the Diocese of Pueblo enjoy the following faculties:
1.  To dispense, in individual cases and for a just cause, from the observance of a Holy Day of Obligation of day or penance (Ash Wednesday, Good Friday), or to commute the obligation into some other pious work.  This faculty may be exercised on behalf of a person belonging to the parish to which the deacon is assigned, or of a person visiting within the boundaries of the parish.  (CIC 1245)
2.  To dispense from a private vow made by a person belonging to the parish to which the deacon is assigned, and also from a private vow made by a visitor within the parish if no injury is done to the acquired rights of others.  Likewise, a deacon may commute to a lessor good what has been promised in a private vow made by a person belonging to the parish to which the deacon is assigned, or by a visitor with the territory.  (CIC 1196, 1197)
3.  To suspend, dispense or commute a promissory oath.  This faculty may not be exercised if the dispensation from the oath would harm those who refuse to remit its obligation.  (CIC 1203)
 
Faculties for Nonincardinated Resident Deacons
1.  The fact of residence and/or employment within the Diocese of Pueblo as, e.g. student, hospital chaplain, counselor, does not de jureconfer the right to exercise sacramental ministry within the Diocese of Pueblo.  Ordinarily, faculties are granted to nonincardinated resident deacons for the duration of their assignment within the Diocese of Pueblo by the Bishop, through his Vicar General or Chancellor.
2.  Requests for faculties must be made in writing with appropriate documentation (e.g. explanatory letters from the Bishop or Religious Superior) to the Bishop of Pueblo. Questions concerning this procedure may be referred to the Chancellor, or to the Vicar(s) General.
3.  In case of emergency, nonincardinated resident deacons desiring faculties may contact the Bishop, the Vicars(s), or the Chancellor for information and guidance.
 
 

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