Ireland's Catholic bishops have set up a working party to prepare for a permanent diaconate in dioceses where it is decided to have permanent deacons.
The deacons, who according to canon law may only be men, will be able to perform most functions associated with the priesthood apart from celebrating the Eucharist and hearing confession.
Single men who become deacons, after an anticipated three-year training period, will have to take a vow of celibacy, though it is also being considered whether married men may become deacons. In October 2000, the bishops said they were seeking approval for the introduction of a permanent diaconate in Ireland. This was granted last July.
The Permanent Diaconate Working Party (PDWP), set up by the Irish Episcopal Conference at its spring meeting in Maynooth, which ended yesterday, is to arrange information sessions for priests and people on the diaconate.
The PDWP will oversee the selection and formation of candidates for the diaconate, in accordance with norms issued by the Vatican in 1998 and the particular norms for Ireland approved last July.
The bishops also announced that their next ad limina visit to Rome will take place between the 16th and 30th of October next.
It will be the first such visit by the Irish bishops to Pope Benedict. Bishops in charge of dioceses worldwide are required to make such a visit to Rome every five years.