Question #10: What are faculties and why does a

Bishop give them to deacons?

Answer: one source define faculties as ‘grants of

jurisdiction or authorization made by Church law

or by a competent superior to perform ministerial

acts such as hearing confessions, officiating at weddings,

granting dispensations.’ In other words, faculties

describe the specific authority a priest or

deacon has to exercise certain functions, and all

priests and deacons must have faculties from the

diocesan bishop. A deacon’s faculties normally

include functions such as celebrating baptisms,

weddings, funerals and prayer services.