Filipino bishops discuss blueprint for permanent diaconate

The world's third-largest Catholic population does not yet include permanent deacons

The bishops of the Philippines will discuss this weekend guidelines for the formation of permanent deacons tailored to local needs of the Filipino Church.

Bishops process at the start of Mass at the National Shrine and Parish of St. Padre Pio in Santo Tomas City, Philippines, on Jan. 23, 2025, days before their 129th plenary assembly. Credit: Screenshot/…