Editing Deacon (section)

===Latin Catholicism===
{{Catholic Church Hierarchy|Administrative and pastoral titles}}
Beginning around the fifth century, there was a gradual decline in the diaconate as a permanent state of life in the [[Latin Church]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rcan.org/short-history-permanent-diaconate |title=A Short History of the Permanent Diaconate |website=Archdiocese of Newark |access-date=2019-07-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226134730/http://www.rcan.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=feature.display&feature_id=403 |archive-date=2014-12-26 }}</ref> The development of a {{lang|la|cursus honorum}} (sequence of offices) found men entering the clerical state through [[tonsure]], then ordination to the minor orders of lector, porter, exorcist, acolyte before ordination to the major orders of sub-deacon and deacon, all stages on the path to priesthood. Only men destined for priesthood were permitted to be ordained deacons. As seminaries developed, following the [[Council of Trent]], to contemporary times, the only men ordained as deacons were seminarians who were completing the last year or so of graduate theological training, so-called "transitional deacons".

Following the recommendations of the [[Second Vatican Council]] ({{lang|la|[[Lumen gentium]]}} 29) and the instigation of the [[Society of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart (Josephites)|Josephites]] (whose work with [[African Americans]] necessitated increased vocational opportunity for married men), in 1967 [[Pope Paul VI]] issued the [[motu proprio]] {{lang|la|Sacrum Diaconatus Ordinem}}, reviving the practice of ordaining to the diaconate men who were not candidates for priestly ordination. These men are known as "permanent deacons", in contrast to those continuing their formation, who were then called "transitional deacons". There is no sacramental difference between the two, however, as there is only one order of deacons.<ref>{{cite web |first=Charles M. |last=Wilson |title=A few additional observations |url=http://www.ewtn.com/library/CANONLAW/WOMENDEA.htm |access-date=2008-08-31 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080621215556/http://www.ewtn.com/library/CANONLAW/WOMENDEA.htm |archive-date=2008-06-21}}</ref>

The period of formation to the permanent diaconate varies from diocese to diocese as determined by the local ordinary, but it usually entails a period of prayerful preparation and several years of study.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Latona |first=Mike |date=2022-05-02 |title=Diocese of Rochester deacons guide potential candidates |url=https://catholiccourier.com/articles/diocese-of-rochester-deacons-guide-potential-candidates/ |access-date=2022-08-12 |website=Catholic Courier |language=en-US}}</ref> Diaconal candidates receive instruction in [[philosophy]], [[theology]], study of the [[Bible]], [[homiletics]], sacramental studies, [[evangelization]], [[ecclesiology]], counseling, and pastoral care and ministry before ordination.

They may be assigned to work in a parish by the diocesan bishop, where they are under the supervision of the parish priests, or in diocesan ministries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usccb.org/deacon/faqs.shtml |title=USCCB Diaconate FAQ&nbsp;– Section 5 'Is a Deacon ordained for the Parish or the Diocese?' |access-date=2008-03-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224174854/http://www.usccb.org/deacon/faqs.shtml |archive-date=2008-02-24}}</ref> Unlike most clerics, permanent deacons who also have a secular profession have no right to receive a salary for their ministry,<ref>Canon 281 § 3.</ref> but many dioceses opt to remunerate them anyway.<ref>Details about the permanent diaconate in the United States are outlined in a 2005 document of the [[United States Conference of Catholic Bishops]], ''National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States''. url={{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20050427220636/http://www.nccbuscc.org/deacon/DeaconDirectory.pdf]}}</ref>

During the [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]], the deacon's responsibilities include assisting the priest, proclaiming the Gospel, announcing the [[General Intercessions]], and distributing Communion. They may also preach the homily.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/current/chapter4.shtml|title=Divine Worship|website=www.usccb.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806061735/http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/current/chapter4.shtml|archive-date=6 August 2011|url-status=live|access-date=26 April 2018}}</ref> As clerics, deacons are required to pray the [[Liturgy of the Hours]]. Deacons, like priests and bishops, are ordinary ministers of the sacrament of [[Baptism]] and may witness at the sacrament of holy matrimony outside of Mass. Deacons may lead funeral rites outside Mass such as the final commendation at the gravesite or the reception of the body at a service in the funeral home, and may assist the priest at the requiem Mass. They can also preside over various services such as [[Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament]], and they may give certain blessings. While in ancient history their tasks and competencies varied, today deacons cannot hear confession and give absolution, anoint the sick, or celebrate Mass.

[[Image:Dalmatiek.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Ornately embroidered dalmatic, the proper vestment of the deacon (shown from the back with an appareled [[amice]])]]

The [[vestment]]s most particularly associated with the Latin Catholic deacon are the [[alb]], [[Stole (vestment)|stole]] and [[dalmatic]]. Deacons, like priests and bishops, must wear their albs and stoles; deacons place the stole over their left shoulder and it hangs across to their right side, while priests and bishops wear it around their necks. The dalmatic, a vestment especially associated with the deacon but originating with the bishop (see below), is worn during the celebration of the Mass and other liturgical functions; its use is more liberally applied than the corresponding vestment of the priest, the [[chasuble]]. At certain major celebrations, such as ordinations, the diocesan bishop wears a dalmatic under his chasuble, now taken to signify that he enjoys the fullness of the three degrees of holy orders—deacon, priest, and bishop, but owing its origin, like the sakkos of Byzantine-rite bishops, to the court dress of the eastern Roman Empire.

[[File:Deacon dalmatic 20100418.jpg|thumb|A [[Catholic]] deacon wearing his [[dalmatic]] and [[biretta]]|left|upright=0.75]]
The diaconate is conferred on seminarians continuing to the priesthood no sooner than 23 years of age (canon 1031 of the Code of Canon Law). As a permanent state, the diaconate can be conferred on single men 25 or older, and on married men 35 or older, but an older age can be required by the [[Episcopal conference|episcopal]] conference.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/motu_proprio/documents/hf_p-vi_motu-proprio_19670618_sacrum-diaconatus_en.html|title=Sacrum Diaconatus Ordinem |date=June 18, 1967|author=Pope Paul VI|publisher=Holy See|access-date=26 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027142314/https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/motu_proprio/documents/hf_p-vi_motu-proprio_19670618_sacrum-diaconatus_en.html|archive-date=27 October 2014}}</ref> If a married deacon is widowed, he must maintain the celibate state. Under some very rare circumstances, however, deacons who have been widowed can receive permission to remarry. This is most commonly done when the deacon is left as a single father. In some cases, a widowed deacon will seek priestly ordination, especially if his children are grown.<ref>"National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States", 2005, p. 36</ref>

A deacon is not [[Style (manner of address)|styled]] "Father" as a priest would be, but as "Deacon",<ref>"Deacon Trinidad Soc", ''Church of Our Lady of Sorrows'', bulletin, May 3, 2015, p. 1.</ref> abbreviated variously as "Dn." or "Dcn." This preferred method of address is stated in the 2005 document of the [[United States Conference of Catholic Bishops]], "National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States". 

The proper address in written correspondence for all deacons of the Latin Church in the United States is "Deacon ''Name''",<ref>The Official Catholic Directory 2013, A-30</ref> although it is not uncommon to see "Rev. Mr." sometimes used. "Rev. Mr.", however, is more often used to indicate a transitional deacon (i.e., preparing for ordination to the priesthood) or one who belongs to a [[religious institute]], while Rev. Deacon is used as the honorific for permanent deacons in many dioceses (e.g., Rev. Deacon John Smith, or Deacon John Smith). The decision as to whether deacons wear the [[Clerical collar|Roman collar]] as street attire is left to the discretion of each bishop for his own diocese. Where clerical garb is approved by the bishop, the deacon can choose to wear or not wear the "collar".{{Citation needed|date=September 2008}}

Deacons, like seminarians, religious, and the two other orders, bishops and priests, pray the [[Liturgy of the Hours]]; however, deacons are usually only required to pray morning and evening prayer.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hall|first=Christine|url=https://archive.org/details/deaconsministry00hall|url-access=registration|page=[https://archive.org/details/deaconsministry00hall/page/18 18]|quote=deacons are usually only required to pray Morning and Evening Prayer.|title=The Deacon's Ministry|date=1992|publisher=Gracewing Publishing|isbn=978-0-85244-182-4|language=en}}</ref>