In Sacrum Diaconatus Ordinem, Pope Paul expressed that the diaconate, “is so adorned with its
own indelible character and its own special grace so that those who are called to it can
permanently serve the mysteries of Christ and the Church.”65 How can the deacon serve the
mysteries of Christ and the Church? Sacrum Diaconatus Ordinem as well as Pope Paul VI,
subsequent letter, Ad Pascendum, would establish a basic source of legislation on the Permanent
diaconate. Over the next decade, the bishops around the world would struggle with the role of the
permanent deacon. Not all bishops welcomed the idea of the permanent diaconate. In some
cases, bishops pointed out the issues with canon law presented by Pope Paul’s description of the
permanent deacon. In 1983, the Code of Canon Law, (Codex Iuris Canonici, 1983) would be
amended to address the issues with the role of the permanent deacon. The functions of the
deacon expressed specifically in the 1983 code include, proclaiming the Gospel, preaching, and
catechesis.
Deacons would also be ordinary ministers of baptism, communion, and Eucharistic benediction.
With delegation of ordinary or pastor, deacons may preside at the sacrament of matrimony.
65
Pope Paul VI, Apostolic Letter, Sacrum Diaconatus Ordinem
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