VATICAN (SE): The Vatican approved the petition of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines [CBCP] to establish the permanent diaconate in the Philippines.
“I am pleased to inform you that the Holy Father has granted your petition, and you are hereby requested to contact the Dicastery for the Clergy concerning all further matters pertaining to the establishment of the Permanent Diaconate,” said the August 17 letter from the Vatican Secretariat of State, signed by Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, the Substitute of the Secretariat of State, according to RVA News.
Pope Francis’ decision came more than a month after the CBCP petitioned the Vatican for the ordination of the permanent deacons in the country. The episcopal conference made its request in a letter to the pope on July 25.
The Vatican described the move as a “noble initiative for the good of the holy people of God in the Philippines,” according to CBCP News.
Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, president of the CBCP, said that having deacons who will work with parishes is also be a response to the lack of priests in the country.
The Philippine bishops pointed out that the specific charism of deacons is “hardly appreciated” among the Filipino Catholics “since it is only seen as a transitional stage to the priesthood”.
Bishop David said, “The restoration of permanent diaconate in the Philippines will enliven even more the engagement of the lay faithful in society.”
Archbishop Peña Parra said, “Please be assured of the Holy Father’s prayers that it will bear much fruit for many years to come.”
