Archbishop calls for permanent deacons in Maltese Church

Following weeks of speculation over the Church’s leadership with many flagging “a crisis situation”, Archbishop Paul Cremona this evening gave his go ahead for permanent deacons in the Maltese Church.

Addressing a diocesan assembly at St Monica School, the Archbishop announced that laymen, even if married, can ask to become permanent deacons. This would make it possible for them to perform the holy sacraments.

“After years of reflection and consultation, I believe it is time to start the process and allow the ordination of permanent deacons and lay ministries. 

The concept of permanent deaconship was set during the Vatican Council II but it was left up to every Diocese to decide whether deaconship should also become a permanent ministry.

While Malta’s diocese is not a permanent deaconship, the Archbishop said that the Maltese Church should introduce this concept to “enrich” the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

A deacon is the first ‘rank’ in the clergy of the Catholic Church. They can be ordained to be a deacon permanently (as yet not available in Malta) or they can be ordained as a step to a fuller reception of Holy Orders. To become a priest, a man must first be ordained a deacon.

“Becoming a permanent deacon is a vocation. You don’t choose to become one but God chooses you. Those men who want to become permanent deacons will have to go through a process of discernment and screening,” he said.

Cremona added that if the man were married, he would require his wife’s consent.