Catholic Dictionary
Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.
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SACRUM DIACONATUS ORDINEM
Apostolic letter of Pope Paul VI setting down the general norms for restoring the permanent diaconate in the Latin Rite of the Church. This document sets down definite norms to be followed, among which are: 1. minimum age of twenty-five for the permanent diaconate; 2. obligation to celibacy for those ordained deacons as unmarried men; 3. privilege of married men "of more advanced age" being ordained permanent deacons, i.e., at least thirty-five years old; 4. rights of permanent deacons to administer the sacraments; offering Mass, giving confirmation and absolution, conferring anointing of the sick, and ordaining others are excepted; 5. all the liturgical privileges (June 18, 1967).
