A Portrait of the Diaconate in the U.S.

Last month, the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate from Georgetown University along with the United States Council of Catholic Bishops released a wonderful overview of the permanent diaconate in the United States.

Did you know…..

Twenty-one dioceses have more than 200 deacons.

Eighty-one percent of all deacons are in active ministry.

There are 17,047 permanent deacons in the US today.

Ninety-two percent of deacons are married.

The diocese with the lowest ratio of Catholics to deacons is the Diocese of Fairbanks, Alaska (0ne deacon for every 519 Catholics).

The diocese with the highest ratio of Catholics to deacons is the Archdiocese of Los Angeles (one deacon for every 16,001 Catholics).

Eighty-five percent of deacons serve in the diocese in which they are incardinated.

Ninety-one percent of all deacons are over 50 years of age, with 62% over the age of 60 years.

Deacons are slightly more ethnically diverse than priests.

Sixty-one percent of active deacons have a bachelor degree or higher.

Only nine deacons last year were laicized (relieved of their clerical obligations/status).

Only 18% are compensated for their ministry.

These statistics seem to debunk some myths about permanent deacons.  They are remarkably stable in their dioceses, despite the impression some have that they move from diocese to diocese.  They are highly educated for the most part, with many having graduate degrees in various fields in addition to or instead  of theology. They remain faithful to their diaconal vocation. Most of us, despite our advancing years, are active in ministry.  We do almost all of it free of charge!

I think history will look back on these years and ask, “Why didn’t we fully utilized the talents and charisms of the diaconate? These men are remarkably dedicated. Most only need to be asked to serve, and they show up.

To parishes that may be struggling with certain aspects of parish life, or to dioceses that have unmet needs, I think we need to turn loose the deacons, especially in the areas of social justice and the corporal works of mercy.

We have a lot to offer.