The Church in the Philippines is soon to have its roster of permanent deacons as Pope Francis approved the request of the country’s bishops for the establishment of a permanent deaconate.
In a letter addressed to Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president and Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, General Affairs substitute of the Vatican Secretariat of State, conveyed the Pope’s approval of its petition dated July 25 and asked the Conference to coordinate with the Dicastery for the Clergy for all further matters pertaining to the establishment of the permanent deaconate.
“As you and your brother Bishops implement this noble initiative for the good of the holy people of God in the Philippines, please be assured of the Holy Father’s prayers that it will bear much fruit for many years to come,” Bishop Parra said.
In a report by the CBCP News on September 12, Bishop David expressed its hope that permanent deacons would bring more enthusiasm to the lay faithful in serving the church.
“The restoration of permanent diaconate in the Philippines will enliven even more the engagement of the lay faithful in society,” the CBCP president wrote.
The prospect of ordaining permanent deacons in the Philippines was first discussed during the 125th CBCP Plenary Assembly in Manila earlier this year and approved by the bishops present at the 126th Plenary Assembly in Aklan last July.
According to CBCP News, the Conference is “expected to come up with a formation program for permanent deacons such as who may be a candidate, what age, and the length of formation, among others.” (Lem Leal Santiago/RCAM-AOC)
