The history of this sacraments reflects that historically there has been three levels or degrees of Orders from the early days of the church: bishop, priests and deacons. All three ministries create a complete leadership of governance, teaching, worship and service. Through the gifts of the Spirit, members of the community are called to this sacrament.
In ordaining a priest, the bishop extends a portion of the bishop's apostolic authority by making the priest a co-worker with the bishop of the diocese.
The ministry of deacon is different from that priest. In 1967 the Second Vatican Council restored the order of the diaconate as a permanent order in the church. Deacons are ordained for works of service, charity and compassion within the community and liturgical ministry as assigned by the bishop. They may or may not be assigned to a parish.