History
RESTORATION OF THE PERMANENT DIACONATE
Revived interest in the permanent diaconate dates back at least to the time of World War II. Priests imprisoned in Nazi concentration camps, reflecting on the difficult situation of the church, speculated that permanent deacons – married or single men with a formal, stable commitment to the work of the church – could have accomplished much good. Interest in the idea continued after the war, when it was taken up by theologians and scholars, especially in Europe, and discussed in a number of articles and books.
In 1957 Pope Pius XII spoke favorably of a restored permanent diaconate, although concluding that "the time is not yet ripe". The idea was very much in the air by the time of Vatican Council II.
Among the reasons for restoring the diaconate advanced during the council, was that this step would help alleviate the shortage of priests in various parts of the world. Deacons, it was reasoned, would be able to perform many of the functions of priests and would help create and sustain a sense of Christian community among people who rarely saw a priest.
This consideration is still valid and even compelling in particular situations. But it is not a satisfactory rationale if it is taken to imply that the diaconate is merely an expedient, a temporary solution to a problem for which there would be no particular need or reason if there were enough priests to go around. On the contrary, the central fact about the diaconate is that it is an integral part of the three-fold hierarchy of Orders, with its own intrinsic reason and right to exist, quite apart from the circumstances of a particular era and place which may give it special timeliness.
DEACONS IN VATICAN II
The Council's principal statement on the restoration of the permanent diaconate appears in the Constitution on the Church.
"Deacons…..receive the imposition of hands not unto the priesthood, but unto a ministry of service." For, strengthened by sacramental grace they are dedicated to the People of God, in conjunction with the bishop and his body of priests, in the service of the liturgy, of the Gospel and of works of charity. It pertains to the office of a deacon, in so far as it may be assigned to him by the competent authority, to administer Baptism solemnly, to be a custodian and distributor of the Eucharist, in the name of the church to assist and to bless marriages, to bring Viaticum to the dying, to read the sacred Scripture to the faithful, to instruct and exhort the people, to preside over the worship and the prayer of the faithful, to administer sacramentals, and to officiate at funeral and burial services. Dedicated to works of charity and functions of administration, deacons should recall the admonition of St. Polycarp: "let them be merciful, and zealous, and let them walk according to the truth of the lord, who became the servant of all".
Since, however, the laws and customs of the Latin Church in force today in many areas render it difficult to fulfill these functions, which are so extremely necessary for the life of the Church; it may well be possible in the future to restore the diaconate as a proper and permanent rank of the hierarchy. "But it pertains to the competent local Episcopal conferences….with the approval of the supreme Pontiff, to decide whether and where it is opportune that such deacons be appointed". (Lumen Gentium, 29)
Pope Paul VI gave specific directives for implementing the restoration of the diaconate in an apostolic letter (Diaconatus Ordinem) published in 1967 and followed this up with further "norms" in 1972. These are still the basis of the Church's current practice and policy regarding the Permanent Diaconate.
The Diaconate program in the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee was initiated by Bishop Rene H. Gracida, in September 1977 and supervised by Fr. Fausto S. Stampiglia who was named the director of deacons. During the years that Fr. Stampiglia directed the diaconate program, deacons were ordained to serve throughout the diocese. The first class ordained was in May 1980 and consisted of 19 men. Fr. Stampiglia led the program from the days of infancy to its time of growth. The program has seen constant evaluation and improvement.
In the years that followed, 1982-1990, there were three other directors: Fr. Howard Lesch, Fr. Daniel Butler, and Fr. Slade Crawford. The program is indeed grateful to them for their tireless effort and dedication of time and talent on behalf of the deacons of our diocese.
In June 1990, the program was placed on “hold” as a result of the call of Bishop J. Symons by Pope John Paul II to the diocese of Palm Beach, FL. Pope John Paul II then called Bishop John M. Smith, a former Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Newark, to succeed Bishop Symons. After familiarizing himself with diocesan matters, the Bishop ordained those candidates who had been placed on “hold”, on June 6, 1992. On November 27, 1994, Bishop Smith announced his decision to re-establish the formation program, effective January 1, 1995 and to begin accepting applications as of January 1, 1996. Deacon John Morgan was chosen to be the new director and the first deacon-director. He was charged with updating the program to conform to current USCCB guidelines, both in formational matters and post-ordination policy. That class was ordained in 2000, consisting of 18 men. A new class was initiated into their Aspirancy year in August of 2000, with a scheduled ordaination date in 2005. In June, 2001, Deacon Gerard Williamson was appointed as Vicar for Deacons and Director of Deacon Formation, replacing Deacon John Morgan. The Class of 2005 consisting of nine men were ordained, June 11, 2005. A new class of Aspirants began their five year journey in August 2005, with an expected ordination date in 2009. The Formation Program is constantly being evaluated and enhanced. It will be further modified in order to conform to the latest revised version of the “National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of the Permanent Deacons in the United States, which was approved by the Holy See, October 30, 2004 and promulgated by the USCCB, December 26, 2004.