Permanent Diaconate - Considerations for Admission

  • A prayerful desire to grow in the spiritual life
  • A demonstrated ability to work with and to serve the needs of others
  • An ability to assume serious responsibilities
  • Respect for and commitment to the church and its authority
  • A sense of God's call to serve the church in the role of deacon
  • Be a man of prayer and good moral character who is prudent and possesses good common sense
  • Be the minimum age of 31 or older
  • Be in good health
  • Be validly married in the eyes of the church
  • Be willing to make a commitment to celibacy upon ordination, if single
  • Be faithful to the official teachings of the church
  • Be willing to deepen his own understanding of our rich Catholic theological traditions
  • Be able to dedicate himself to four years of formation
  • Have at least a high school diploma (or equivalent)
  • Be economically stable
  • Be recommended by the pastor of his parish
  • Have the approval and support of his wife and family
  • Be a resident within the Diocese of Norwich
  • Must be a practicing Roman Catholic for at least 5 years