The Church, therefore, has always held its clergy to high standards of holiness and integrity, said the 73-year-old cardinal, who received his red hat from Pope Francis on Nov. 28, 2020.
But Gregory acknowledged that no candidate for the diaconate is perfect.
“[These ordinandi] are not perfect — perfection has never been a condition for ordination to any office in the Church. In fact, the Church consciously chooses men who may have flaws and weaknesses because God’s grace works most effectively, as St. Paul wisely reminded the Corinthians, in weakness so that God receives the glory rather than mere mortals,” he said.
During the ordination ceremony, the new deacons committed themselves to a life of prayer, celibacy, and obedience to their diocesan bishops.
When candidates make their promise of obedience, they place their joined hands between those of the presiding bishop.
Afterward, they prostrate themselves before the altar and kneel before the bishop as he lays his hands on their heads before saying the prayer of consecration.
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The newly ordained deacons then put on the stole and dalmatic, the vestments associated with the diaconate.
The deacons will undergo a further year of theological studies and spiritual formation before ordination to the priesthood in their home dioceses.
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