Evansville Catholic Diocese
(812) 424-5536
4200 N. Kentucky Ave
Evansville, IN 47711
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The Role and Function of the Permanent Deacon

The Catholic Diocese of Evansville is committed to making provisions for the pastoral care and ministry of all in the Diocese. In providing for all to know Jesus Christ, to grow spiritually, to receive the abundant grace of the sacraments, to build up the Body of Christ, to ultimately enjoy the salvation won for them by God's Son, Jesus Christ, the Diocese constantly strives to recruit, train and support the necessary ministers to meet these goals.

It is in this context that the Diocese re-established a program for permanent deacons. In no way is this intention to recruit, train and ordain permanent deacons meant to diminish its total commitment to recruit, train and ordain priests nor meant to shortcut the proper ministry of the laity, religious women and men, laywomen and laymen. Rather than to exclude anyone called to ministry the proposal wishes to include those called to permanent diaconate.

The Diocese intends to continue the basic roles of future permanent deacons similar to the roles of the present permanent deacons, with some new emphases. At the present the overwhelming majority of permanent deacons active in the Diocese exercise their diaconate in a parish, to be sure mostly in their home parish. This parochial orientation will continue to be the major role of permanent deacons.

However, with the adoption of the staffing plans developed by the seven deaneries and approved by the Ordinary, the parish ministry of deacons will conform to the particularities of each deanery. This may include serving as part of a multi-parish team while under the authority of a priest-pastor. With a new emphasis on deacons ordained in service to the bishop, permanent deacons may be assigned to a parish not their own, but one close enough not to cause any hardship.

Likewise special efforts will be made to recruit ethnic deacons to serve the needs of the African-American community and the Spanish-speaking communities. In addition, efforts will be made to have permanent deacons serving in multi-parish or regional ministries of service like hospital ministry, jail ministry, youth ministry, ministry to the handicapped and evangelization, plus chaplaincies to religious, social and fraternal groups.

Where appropriate deacons may serve the Bishop and the Diocese in other non-parochial ministries like Master of Episcopal Ceremonies, Marriage Tribunal judge or defender of the bond, or administrative positions.

Likewise in the future, as in the present, the typical permanent deacon will have a profession or occupation and serve part-time and gratis. A permanent deacon, however, may be offered a full-time position by a parish or by the Diocese.  (Presently in the Diocese five deacons are serving as Pastoral Life Coordinators).

- Future deacons' role will be basically the same as present and past deacons
- Primary role will be assisting in parishes
- Deacon assignments will conform to the staffing plans of the deaneries
- Deacons are ordained in service to the Bishop; assignment may not be home parish
- Special efforts will be made to recruit ethnic deacons, especially African-American and Spanish-speaking
- Special efforts will be made to have deacons serve in multi-parish, regional and group specific ministries: hospital, jail, youth, handicapped, plus
   chaplaincies to religious, social and fraternal organizations
- A deacon may be assigned in a Diocesan position: Master of Episcopal Ceremonies, Marriage Tribunal judgenor defender of the bond, or
   administrative position
- Typically deacons will have a profession or occupation and serve part-time and gratis
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