The Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church in question 330 asks:  “What is the effect of the ordination to the diaconate? The answer is “The deacon, configured to Christ the servant of all, is ordained for service to the Church. He carries out this service under the authority of his proper bishop by the ministry of the Word, of divine worship, of pastoral care and of charity.”

The compendium also states “ordination confers an indelible spiritual character and therefore cannot be repeated…” Permanent deacons are addressed as Deacon. They are either celibate or married before they received the Sacrament of Holy Orders. They are called permanent because their intention and call is to serve as a deacon for the rest of their lives. A candidate for the priesthood receives the same sacramental ordination, the same permanent spiritual character, but is called a transitional deacon, because he is on the way to the priesthood. Transitional deacons are addressed as Rev. Mr.