he Diocese of Fall River welcomes new Deacons as Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., ordains 15 men to the Permanent Diaconate and one man to the Transitional Diaconate on Saturday, May 20, in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Fall River. The diaconate is the first of three ranks in ordained ministry in the Catholic Church. Deacons preparing for the priesthood are transitional deacons. Those not planning to be ordained priests are called permanent deacons. Functionally, there is no difference between a permanent deacon and a transitional deacon. They share the same diaconal roles and responsibilities.