[Mrs. Don-o]

Correction: if a married permanent deacon's wife dies before he does, he must not remarry, but must remain celibate. He is not required to go on and be ordained a priest.

I understand there is one exceptin to this, and that is if the widowed deacon is left with children in the household to care for, then --- with his bishop's permission --- he may seek to remarry for the children's sake.

This must be very rare; in all my years I have actually not seen this case. But I'm told it's in Canon Law.

[Biggirl]

Thank-you for that teaching correction. Never knew that a widowed permanent deacon does not have to become a priest.

I have a friend who is studying and decerning in my parish becoming one.