Those who shut their ears to the cry of the poor will themselvesalso call and not be heard. In 1967 Pope Paul VI restored the permanent Diaconate to the Roman Catholic Church. This was consistent with the wishes of the Second Vatican Council 1962-1965. Permanent Deacons are usually married men past the the age of 35. A period of formation consisting of spiritual and academic formation, lasting four years, as preparation for the reception of Holy Orders.
Deacons are members of the clergy.
The Deacon serves as a sign of the ministry of service of all the baptized in a life dedicated to a praxis in imitation of Jesus Christ within the context they find themselves assigned. Most Deacons are employed outside the Church, though some are employed by their parishes on a full time basis. I was chair of the Dept., of Theology at Holy Cross High School in Waterbury, Ct. I have been adjunct instructor at St. Joseph College in West Hartford in Religious Studies. I am currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Office of Urban Affairs for the Archdiocese of Hartford.