BASIC NORMS
FOR THE FORMATION
OF PERMANENT DEACONS

INTRODUCTION

1. The paths of formation

1. The first indications about the formation of permanent deacons were given by the Apostolic Letter Sacrum diaconatus ordinem.(¹)

These indications were then taken up and further refined in the Circular Letter of the Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education of 16 July 1969, Come è a conoscenza, in which were foreseen “different types of formation” according to the “different types of diaconate” (for celibates, married people, “those destined for mission territories or for countries which were still developing”, those called “to carry out their function in countries with a certain level of civilisation and a fairly developed culture”). Regarding doctrinal formation, it was specified that it must be above that required for a simple catechist and, in some way, analogous to that of the priest. The material which had to be taken into consideration when drawing up the programme of studies was then listed.(²)

The subsequent Apostolic Letter Ad pascendum specified that “in regard to the course of theological studies that are to precede the ordination of permanent deacons, the Episcopal Conferences, according to the local situation, are competent to issue the appropriate norms and submit them to the Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education for approval”.(³)

The new Code of Canon Law brought together the essential elements of this norm into canon 236.

2. After about thirty years from the first directives, and with the contribution of subsequent experiences, it has been thought opportune now to draw up the present Ratio fundamentalis institutionis diaconorum permanentium. Its purpose is that of providing an instrument for guiding and harmonising, while respecting legitimate diversity, the educational projects drawn up by the Episcopal Conferences and dioceses, which at times vary greatly from one to another.