Disruptive? That goes without saying. It is normal practice these days to allow lay folks into classes for men preparing for Holy Orders, and it is not a good thing. I would think that a lot of diaconate programs operate in the same space as diocesan lay formation programs, and it is definitely not a good thing. Maybe a €1,500 fine is worth it. It might be even better to just do away with the permanent diaconate entirely.

@Bruceph Mildur I agree completely, and I was commenting somewhat “tongue in cheek,” but I doubt that there is a single diocesan program of priestly, or diaconal formation that properly sets apart candidates for ordination from lay folks. It happens largely because they need money to flow in, as seminarians typically draw down endowments, instead of paying tuition. It would not surprise me if this particular program had classes with lay people, even if the diaconate program was for men only. Permanent deacon candidates don’t “go to seminary,” so their formation doesn’t go too much beyond what a lay person getting a pastoral theology degree would get. Also, from what I’ve heard, wives of deacon candidates participate actively in the formation of their husbands. It is a messy business. I’m for doing away with the whole thing.