becoming a deacon in the catholic church

and can a woman become one, and can one be married and be one?

First, every answer I've seen to your question thus far is incorrect.

Second, being a deacon, priest or bishop, is not about what someone "does." We think about people in very functional terms -- we are what we do. But the Church looks at it in a different, relational way. A deacon is about who you ARE, not what you can do.

But to answer the questions -- and I do so as someone with a Masters degree in theology who has gone through the diaconate formation program in the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon....

1. A deacon is an ordained minister in the Church who, like the priest, assists the bishop. But he does so in a different way than the priest. The priest's primary action is the sanctification of the community through the offering of prayers and sacraments. The deacon also assists in the sanctification of the community, but primarily through service and witness (verbal and personal). Specifically, a deacon may baptize, celebrate marriages, and is often involved in education and spiritual formation. A deacon may give the homily at a Mass, and is the "ordinary" minister of the Eucharist, meaning that he is the normal assistant for distributing communion, both at Mass and when visiting the homebound. He often assists at Mass and other sacraments in specific ways such as reading the Gospel, assisting with prayers or serving at the altar. Deacons often specialize in some kind of ministry that is of interest to them, like ministry to prisoners, workers, the poor or homeless, etc.

2. No, a woman may NOT be a deacon in the Catholic Church. There is some ambiguity about this in the history of the Church, but even in the rare cases where someone was referred to as a "deaconess," she did not do the same things that (male) deacons did.

3. Yes, one can be married and be a deacon. However, if his wife dies, he is usually precluded from remarrying, unless there are young children or some other serious reason to do so.

2009-04-11 21:03:31 by When You See The Southern Cross

Deacon Patrick Mongan talks about what brought him from being raised as Lutheran, becoming an agnostic as a young adult, and eventually to ...

In the Roman Catholic Church, can Deacons officate a marriage?And, how long, once you enter the Seminary do you normally become a Deacon/Priest?

Yes a deacon can officiate at a Catholic wedding because the ministers of the sacrament are actually hte man and woman getting married. The deacon or priest is there as a witness on behalf of the Church.

It takes four years of seminary to become a priest

2007-04-13 15:08:59 by Irish Darling

While they are allowed to do so in the Orthodox Catholic churches? Why also are the priests not allowed to marry in the Roman Catholic Church but they are allowed to be married until they reach becoming a monk in the Orthodox Catholic churches? And also out of curiosity are there any women preachers such as priests, deacons, bishops,pastors, or ministers in any sect or denomination of Christianity? Thanks in advance. All questions are asked out of curiosity.

Peace be with you.

Eastern Rite Catholic Churches don't allow women to be priests. (Whether or not the heretical group which uses the name 'Catholic Orthodox' does or not doesn't matter.)

Oriental and Eastern Orthodox priests are often married. May Eastern Rite Roman Catholic priests are also. The official Roman Catholic teaching is that priestly celibacy is a pious practise not a requirement for all priests. That being said those in the West vow to it. Those in the East do not. I believe in some areas married Anglican priests who covert are reordained but permitted to remain married as Roman Catholic priests.

Many denominations which are not part of the Apostolic Faith permit women to be leaders.

The answer to your main question is this: Jesus Christ did not permit His Mother St. Mary to be a priest. Likewise, His Church has never allowed women to be priests. God gave men the role of spiritual leadership on earth so that women could care for their families in love and never have to worry about such difficult matters.

That's the short of it. I have heard the word priest in Greek is derived from the word for beard too but not sure about that not knowing Greek of course.

Pray for me please.

2007-10-31 10:03:17 by LatinoHeat™

How long would it take me to become a deacon? and then how long would it take me to become a priest ? Also im kind of poor would the church pay for it??

Hello,

Well you have to be able to read and understand questions and instructions to begin with.

Priest

1) 4 years for a bachelors degree.

2) 4 years of seminary school.

or 1, 2 concurrently.

Deacon

A one-year aspirancy period and a three-year academic, spiritual and pastoral formation process, and parish internship for those pursuing ordination to the diaconate.

Last time I asked there were dunding programs available from various orders.


Cheers,

Michael Kelly

2008-10-20 12:56:39 by Peter F

TRUE OR FALSE...

1. When a priest retires form active service, he ceases to become a priest.
2. Deacons are allowed to assist the priest and bishop by blessing marriages?
3. Christ is present to the Church in the service of a priest?
4. A religious brother is like a nun, but he is ordained?

1. In a way, he still follows his vows.
2. Yep
3. Yep
4. Some are some aren't, a monk is in a way the male version of a nun.

2009-03-30 20:42:09 by ♥N♥