Do deacons assigned to parishes have diocesan duties and responsibilities?
Yes. Even deacons assigned to a parish as their primary assignment have diocesan duties and responsibilities. These include, but are not limited to, support and participation at such diocesan liturgies as the Rite of Election, Chrism Mass, Ordination of Priests, Ordination of Deacons, Bishop’s Convocation of Deacons, Deacon Congress, Deacon Community Retreat, and such other events designated by the bishop. In addition, each active deacon is expected to attend at least one meeting of the diaconal vicariate annually beyond those associated with diocesan gatherings of all deacons. Deacons are obliged to complete 36 hours of continuing education each year, and finally, deacons are expected to accept appointments to diocesan and diaconal committees and task forces from time-to-time.
