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ARCHDIOCESE OF ATLANTA
OFFICE OF
THE PERMANENT DIACONATE
Admission
Guidelines
For
Applicants to
Aspirancy & Formation
Revised
09/25/07
The National Directory for the Formation of Permanent
Deacons states:
“It is the pastor who initially presents [the applicant] for
consideration into diaconal formation through a letter that confirms he is
a practicing Catholic of good reputation and in good
standing.”
- A man in good standing in the Church and having
been a member for not less than five (5) years and in the Archdiocese of
Atlanta not less than three (3) years.
- A citizen of the United States of America or holding a valid “Green
Card.”
- Have a stable employment and financial
history.
- Be without a criminal
record.
- Possess a minimum of a high school diploma and
capable of college level studies.
- Hispanics must be able to speak and read
English. Papers may be written in Spanish.
- Married men should be married at least five (5)
years and living examples of the Sacrament.
- Married men with young children must not deprive
their children of adequate quality time with their father, nor place an
undue burden on their wives.
- Single men must be committed to celibacy
subsequent to ordination.
- Minimum age for married applicants is
thirty-five (35) and thirty (30) for single men.
- Maximum age for applicants is sixty
(60).
- The applicant should posses a history of
pastoral ministry in his parish.
- The applicant must be capable of committing a
minimum of two (2) Saturdays a month to formal classroom studies and not
less than ten (10) hours per week for studies.
- The applicant must be committed to serving the
Archdiocese of Atlanta after ordination.
The foregoing is intended to fulfill the
requirements cited in St. Paul’s First Letter to
Timothy:
“Similarly, deacons must be dignified, not
deceitful, not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain, holding fast
to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. Moreover, they should
be tested first; then, if there is nothing against them, let them serve as
deacons.”
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