Permanent deacon

Permanent deacons

Following the recommendations of the Second Vatican Council and the instigation of the Josephites (whose work with African Americans necessitated increased vocational opportunity for married men), in 1967 Pope Paul VI issued the motu proprioSacrum Diaconatus Ordinem, reviving the practice of ordaining to the diaconate men who were not candidates for priestly ordination. These men are known as permanent deacons, in contrast to transitional deacons who were continuing their priestly formation. There is no sacramental difference between the two, however, as there is only one order of deacons.