Editor ' s Note Baptism of the Lord 2019
In June 1967 , Pope St . Paul VI issued a decree , termed a motu proprio , entitled , Sacrum Diaconatus Ordinem , establishing the “ General Norms for Restoring the Permanent Diaconate in the Latin Church .” The papal decree formally implemented the renewal of the diaconate as a permanent ministry in the Catholic Church and thus fulfilled one of the calls of the Second Vatican Council ( 1962-1965 ). The pope wrote :
Beginning already in the early days of the Apostles , the Catholic Church has held in great veneration the sacred order of the diaconate , as the Apostle of the Gentiles himself bears witness . He expressly sends his greeting to the deacons together with the bishops and instructs Timothy ( 1 ) which virtues and qualities are to be sought in them in order that they may be regarded as worthy of their ministry . Furthermore , the Second Ecumenical Vatican Council , following this very ancient tradition , made honorable mention of the diaconate in the Constitution which begins with the words “ Lumen Gentium ,” where , after concerning itself with the bishops and the priests , it praised also the third rank of sacred orders , explaining its dignity and enumerating its functions . Indeed while clearly recognizing on the one hand that “ these functions very necessary to the life of the Church could in the present discipline of the Latin Church be carried out in many regions with difficulty ,” and while on the other hand wishing to make more suitable provision in a matter of such importance wisely decreed that the “ diaconate in the future could be restored as a particular and permanent rank of the hierarchy .”
The idea of “ restoration ” is often overlooked today , at a time when the number of permanent deacons continues to increase and permanent deacons are such a part of the daily life of parishes across the Church . Catholics express surprise that the permanent diaconate had to be restored . Why , many Catholics ask , had the permanent diaconate seemingly ceased to exist in the Latin Church ?
The diaconate , of course , was established - as the Acts of the Apostles 6:1-7 declares - in the earliest Church :
At that time , as the number of disciples continued to grow , the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution . So , the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said , “ It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table . Brothers , select from among you seven reputable men , filled with the Spirit and wisdom , whom we shall appoint to this task , whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word .” The proposal was acceptable to the whole community , so they chose Stephen , a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit , also Philip , Prochorus , Nicanor , Timon , Parmenas , and Nicholas of Antioch , a convert to Judaism . They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them .