Permanent vs. Transitional Deacon

[Tim_in_MI]

We currently have a Permanent Deacon assigned to our parish who is married. He mentioned in a brief conversation with me that since he took vows to become a Permanent Deacon, if his wife were to die, he could not become a priest - only Transitional Deacons can do this. He went onto say that another Deacon he knows lost his spouse some time ago, and he remains a Permanent Deacon for this reason, even though he desired to become a priest.

I had never heard of this before. Does anyone know if this is a general rule, or maybe one specific to our Archdiocese? Could he get a dispensation from this rule? It seems like godly men such as he could offer the church so much as a priest.

 

[darryld]

It was explained to us during the formation process as follows:

The call to the diaconate and the call to the priesthood is different. It should not be seen as “the next step” after the spouse dies. In other words, application to the priesthood should be the exception rather than the rule. I believe that Rome must approve before the application can be accepted.

One permanent deacon in our archdiosese was ordained to the priesthood a year or so ago, so I know that it is not forbidden by canon law. Hope this helps.

Deacon Darryl D

 

[puzzleannie]

having been married or attempting marriage is a bar to the priesthood in canon law, but one that can be lifted by dispensation in some cases by application to Rome on the candidate’s behalf by his bishop.

 

[tee_eff_em]

having been married or attempting marriage is a bar to the priesthood in canon law

I do not think that is correct?

Can. 1041 The following are irregular [perpetually impeded] for receiving orders:
…
3/ a person who has attempted marriage, even only civilly, while either impeded personally from entering marriage by a matrimonial bond, sacred orders, or a public perpetual vow of chastity, or with a woman bound by a valid marriage or restricted by the same type of vow;
…
Can. 1042 The following are simply impeded from receiving orders:

1/ a man who has a wife, unless he is legitimately destined to the permanent diaconate;
…

Unless I am missing something elsewhere? I Am Not A Canon Lawyer

To the OP: I have never heard that a permanent deacon cannot be ordained a priest. However: It is certainly not a given that he may be – As with any man discerning a vocation to the priesthood, his ordinary would be the final arbiter of whether he is so called or not. At least that is my understanding.

tee

 

[Joannm]

I know a few priests who were married before they became priests. One was a widower and entered the seminary after his wife died, another was a widowed deacon another was a man who was divorced and received an annulment.

 

[plato3]

There are also married converts that have been allowed to become priests after they converted. We had one and the diocese required that he have a paying job to support his family. He worked as a prison chaplain and I believe now has gone on as a military chaplain. We have had permanent deacons request elevation after their wives died, but they were denied. The only permanent deacon that has been elevated in our diocese is one the bishop felt had a vocation to the priesthood and the bishop asked him, a couple of years after his wife died. He became ill not too long after his ordination and now does what he can in retirement. As the shortage of priests continues, the deacons are finding they must perform more sacramental duties and have less time to work with the poor, the sick, and the homeless Etc, as was the original vision of the diaconate.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

We currently have a Permanent Deacon assigned to our parish who is married. He mentioned in a brief conversation with me that since he took vows to become a Permanent Deacon, if his wife were to die, he could not become a priest - only Transitional Deacons can do this. He went onto say that another Deacon he knows lost his spouse some time ago, and he remains a Permanent Deacon for this reason, even though he desired to become a priest.

I had never heard of this before. Does anyone know if this is a general rule, or maybe one specific to our Archdiocese? Could he get a dispensation from this rule? It seems like godly men such as he could offer the church so much as a priest.

Just to pick at a nit, secular clergy do not take vows, they make promises.