THE DIACONAL COUNCIL
Purpose
The Diaconal Council of the Archdiocese serves as an advisory and consultative body to the Metropolitan regarding the formation, ministry, and life of the deacon in the Archdiocese. The Council also provides a forum for input from deacons, their wives and widows, their families, pastors, parishes, and the whole community of the faithful.
Function
In addition to advising the Metropolitan, the Diaconal Council is responsible for overseeing the background investigations of all candidates for ordination to the Diaconate in the Archdiocese; recommends candidates for ordination to the Metropolitan; consults with the Metropolitan regarding the assignment, transfer, and retirement of deacons; oversees the formation of deacons and their formational progress; and advises the Metropolitan and works with him to plan, implement, and oversee programs to sustain and care for the deacons of the Archdiocese.
The Council is also responsible for
- Initiating and overseeing the comprehensive personal and criminal background investigations of candidates for ordination to the Diaconate and of those deacons who seek to enter into the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese;
- Interviewing subdeacons who have petitioned the Metropolitan for ordination to the Holy Priesthood;
- Recommending candidates for ordination to the Diaconate;
- Interviewing deacons from other jurisdictions who seek admission into the Archdiocese and making recommendations to the Metropolitan regarding the same, and:
- Initiating canonical investigations into accusations of wrongdoing, immoral behavior, and financial and fiduciary mismanagement against deacons of the Archdiocese and making the appropriate recommendations to the Metropolitan.;
Membership
The membership of the Council consists of elected representatives chosen from among the deacon community from each of the vicariates of the Archdiocese.
