File photo of an ordination of Catholic deacons
The Accra Archdiocese of the Catholic Church has instituted a “permanent diaconate” in the archdiocese.
This means that the Catholic Church in Accra will now be appointing married men as deacons to assist with pastoral work in the various churches in the archdiocese.
A statement issued by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Accra, John Bonaventure Kwofie, which was sighted by GhanaWeb, indicated that the institution of the permanent diaconate was after consultation with the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the College of Consultors, the Priests’ Council, the Priests and Religious of the Archdiocese, and the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council.
It explained that the institution of the permanent diaconate is to “strengthen the hierarchy of Sacred Orders, especially where the presence of priests is lacking,” as well as “aid in extending needed liturgical and charitable service where catechists and designated lay persons already play such functions.”
The statement added that permanent deacons will help bring an “official and sacramental presence to the Church in areas of secular life,” and “aid priests in matters sacramental and liturgical.”
The Church went on to list the following for one to become a permanent deacon:
i. Must fulfil those requirements valid for Sacred Orders in general, that is, men who “have sound faith, are motivated by the right intention, are endowed with the requisite knowledge, enjoy a good reputation, and have moral probity, proven virtue, and the other physical and psychological qualities appropriate to the order to be received.”
ii. Must be endowed with those human qualities necessary for exercising the diakonia, namely, psychological maturity, capacity for dialogue and communication, sense of responsibility, industriousness, equilibrium, and prudence, among others.
iii. Must be an active member of the Christian community in the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra for at least 10 years and have already exercised praiseworthy commitment to the apostolate.
iv. May carry out any professional activity, provided it is not inconsistent with the diaconal state.
v. Must be married and be between the minimum age of 45 and the maximum age of 55 years.
vi. Must have completed their tenth year in the sacrament of Holy Matrimony and have shown themselves to be capable of running their own homes, and whose wives and children lead a truly Christian life and have good reputations.
The Church indicated that all qualified Catholics who want to become permanent deacons are to apply through their pastors to undertake formation for the permanent diaconate.
“Not more than one candidate may be proposed from a parish community. The Archbishop will, upon receiving the request from the pastor, and in consultation with the Director of Formation and the Formation Team, accept or decline the request to undertake the formation,” it added.
Read the full statement below:
BAI/MA
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