The Archbishop’s decision to introduce permanent deacons was described as “a bolt from the blue” by a member of a Church commission that had backed their introduction in November 2012.

Fr Renè Camilleri, the Archbishop’s Delegate for Catechesis, welcomed the decision but said it took him completely by surprise.

He stressed the need to set up the right infrastructure so that laymen aspiring to be ordained deacons – who can be married – would be able to receive their formation.

Fr Camilleri also questioned the entire local debate which lasted some 15 years, questioning whether it made sense to mull over the introduction of permanent deacons when Vatican Council II had already expressed itself in favour.

The Archbishop’s delegate for the laity, Joe Farrugia, said the Church needed to better explain the role of permanent deacons.

Candidates for deaconry would first need to be screened and would then have to successfully follow a three-year course to be eligible for ordination.Permanent deacons may preside over marriages, funerals and baptisms but may not celebrate Mass, hear confession or consecrate bread and wine. In the case of married men, the wife must give her consent.

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