The information website DIAKONAT was created on 3 January 2001 and is the first Polish website wholly dedicated to the subject of diaconate. The website collects information concerning:
- the education required for this level of service in the Church;
- its history through the ages;
- the development of the forms of this type of service and hierarchy in Christian Churches;
- the female form of diaconate in the communion.
This website also contains information on the institution of permanent diaconate, renewed in the Catholic Church after the II Vatican Council.
PERMANENT DIACONATE IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN POLAND – the history and the current status
In Poland serve: 103 permanent deacons (of the Latin rite) in the Catholic Church and 6 deacons ad sacerdotium non destinatus (of the Byzantine rite) in the Ukrainian Catholic Church.
Chosen events from 1999
2008-06-06 In the Toruń diocese, Tomasz Chmielewski, the first permanent deacon (of the Latin rite) received holy orders. He is the second permanent deacon in the country.
2008-06-01 The Permanent Deacon Information Centre suspended its operation. The first in Poland course preparing men for deacon’s orders was completed by 4 candidates.
2005-10-14 In the Permanent Deacon Information Centre in Przysiek near Toruń, the formation was begun by 10 candidates from various dioceses.
2004-04-07 The Polish Episcopal Conference decides on a formation programme for permanent diaconate candidates, both married and celibates.
2004-01-22 On the liturgical remembrance of St. Vincent, a deacon and martyr, the Congregation for Catholic Education approved, ad experimentum for the period of 6 years, the “Guidelines for the formation, life and service of permanent deacons in Poland”.
2003-10-30 Piotr Siwicki received holy orders of Ukrainian Catholic Church diaconate /diaconus ad sacerdotium non destinatus/ as the third deacon (of the Byzantine rite) in Poland.
2001-06-20 The Polish Episcopal Conference, during the 313 plenary assembly in Łowicz, introduced permanent diaconate. The orders will thus be able to be received by married men as well.
1999-06-11 The concluded II Polish Synod (1991-1999) opens the way for the introduction of permanent deaconate in Poland: “[Permanent deaconate] can also be given to married men. It is believed that in our present situation it can be a significant improvement of the realisation of the mission of the Church” /40th point (part X) of the documents/.