ENCYCLICAL LETTER - RULES FOR THE DIACONATE

[Balthasar 2070]

ORDO DIACONORUM SANCTISSIMUS

RULES FOR THE DIACONATE IN THE CANONIST CHURCH

 

ENCYCLICAL OF HIGH PONTIFF
PONTIAN IV

 

12TH OF SUNS SMILE, 1910

 

TO THE VENERABLE BRETHREN, THE ARCHBISHOPS, THE BISHOPS, 
AND OTHER LOCAL ORDINARIES IN PEACE AND COMMUNION 
WITH THE AEGISIAN SEE

 

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Venerable Brethren, Health and Pontifical Benediction.

 

The Holy Order of Deacons formed soon after the formation of the Canonist Church and has always existed as a step below the priesthood. When first created the diaconate was a transitory rank, one held a specific time before being ordained a priest. We must admit that the order is one of the least well-known, yet also wish to stress it should not be underestimated, for it is just as crucial as the role of a pastor. The diaconate consists mostly of married men and women with full-time careers, as all Canonists are called, the deacons serve with a unique authority and humble power.

 

You might be wondering, having read that the diaconate exists mostly of married men and women with full-time careers of their own, what the tasks of the average deacon are. In the simplest of terms, the deacon is the assistant of a priest in a certain diocese. A deacon may receive the blessing of his superior to perform sacred ceremonies in their absence, and as a requirement before being proclaimed, one needs to maintain a virtuous life with no public notoriety.

 

It is up to the aspiring deacon’s spiritual superior to educate them further on what it means to be a deacon in person, and We strongly urge any interested Canonists to reach out to their diocesan priests. Our reason for writing this Encyclical, however, is a desire to set a specific set of rules for the diaconate so that all deacons, as well as Our ordinaries, may properly and without hesitation perform their functions. These rules, in accordance with Our wish, can be found below.

 

I.

§1. Once approval of the Holy See has been obtained, it is within the power of each Minister within their own diocese to approve and ordain candidates to the diaconate

§2. The diaconate may not be conferred before the completion of the twenty-first year.

§3. Candidates must be trained for the diaconal office and put to a test and will be educated to live a completely Virtuous life and be prepared to fulfill their functions.

§4. Candidates enter acolyteship, much like priests, where they will receive a mentor, once the mentor is satisfied with the candidate's knowledge, they may be tested.

§5. Older men and women, single or married, can be called to the diaconate. The latter is not to be admitted unless there is certainty not only about the spouse’s consent but also about their blameless Canonist life and that those qualities will neither impede nor bring dishonour to the spouse's ministry.

§6. Let care be taken that deacons do not exercise a profession which in the judgement of the local minister is unfitting or impedes the function of the sacred office.

 

II.

§1. Any deacon who is not a member of a religious family, must be enrolled in a diocese.

§2. The bishop must issue proper sustenance to the deacon and their family if married.

§3. The diaconate has been authorized by the Supreme Pontiff to attend such functions:

1. Assist the bishop and priest during sacred ceremonies
2. To administer baptism solemnly
3. In the absence of a priest, to assist and bless marriages in the name of the Holy Mother Church by direction from the bishop or pastor.
4. To administer and to officiate funeral services
5. Reading from the Holy Scrolls during sacred ceremonies
6. To preside at the worship and prayers, when the priest is not present
7. To carry out in the name of the Church, the duties of charity.
8. To guide in the name of the parish priest and bishop remote communities.
9. Promote and sustain the Canonist activities of laymen.
10. Any other functions directed by the deacon's superior.
11. All these duties must be carried out in communion with the bishop and his presbytery.

 

III.

§1. Those deacons that serve the Church, must abstain from all vice and endeavour to be pleasing to God. For this reason, they must surpass all others in the liturgical life, in the love for prayer, in divine service, obedience, charity and chastity.

§2. Deacons must not neglect their studies, particularly the Sacred Ceremonies. In such a way that they can explain God’s virtue to the rest and daily become more capable of instructing and strengthening the minds of the Canonists.

§3. The diaconate is bound to show reverence and obedience to the bishop; the bishop should in God, highly esteem the deacons and love them with the love of fathers.

§4. If for just reason the deacon for much time lives outside his own diocese, he should willingly submit to the supervision and authority of the local minister.

§5. Let the deacon exercise their diaconal ministry under the authority of the bishop

§6. Sacramentally all deacons are equal. However, they are ranked and served by seniority according to their ordination.

§7. As with bishops and presbyters, there exists a hierarchy. Only to be elevated by the deacon’s own ruling bishop.

1. A senior deacon of a cathedral or leading church may be appointed protodeacon (first deacon) and claims precedence when serving with other deacons, regardless of the date of ordination. 
2. The chief deacon who is attached to the bishop is named archdeacon.
3. Both positions assume responsibilities, such as finance, secretarial duties, the training of new deacons and priests, etc.
4. Protodeacons and archdeacons are both permitted to wear a burgundy-coloured Skufia.
5. Protodeacons and archdeacons are permitted to be ordained priests but remain permanent deacons.

§8. Revisions, innovations and addendums to these norms may be decreed by the Supreme Pontiff ad hoc or by a diet of bishops.

 

IV.

§1. Deacons are permitted to wear a black cossack with a cincture or band cincture around the waist.

1. The local custom will also have to be observed in the matter of apparel.

§2. For Sacred Ceremonies, the deacon is vested in either the dalmatic or sticharion, depending on local customs and religious family.
§3. Deacons are styled appropriately as ‘The Reverend Deacon’ or ‘Deacon’ with the name following after. It is acceptable and common to use the first name, rather than the last name.

1. Deacons are only ever called ‘Father’ if they are also ordained priests, in such cases full titles being ‘The Reverend Father Deacon’ or ‘Father Deacon’ with names following after.

 

After issuing these regulations, We desire from Our heart that the deacons in performing their functions will follow the rules laid out. The Pontificate orders that what has been established by “motu proprio” valid, all things to the contrary notwithstanding.

 

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FIDES RESTITUENDA
FAITH MUST BE RESTORED

 

Spoiler

tldr: just laying out some rules for the deacons and elaborating very lightly on their history, they've been neglected for a long time. Being a deacon is perfect for those wanting to get involved in the church, but have obligations elsewhere, the diaconate is more of a side job. deacons can however become full priests if the priesthood is something they want to get involved in the future.