US Church sees continued growth in vocations to Permanent Deaconate
August 7, 2013: The number of permanent deacons in the United States continues to
increase, according to a national survey just released by the US Conference of Catholic
Bishops (USCCB).
The Georgetown University-based Center for Applied Research
in the Apostolate (CARA) conducted the survey of 193 of the 195 US dioceses in April.
This marks the seventh CARA survey of the permanent diaconate, an ancient ministry
reinstituted by the Second Vatican Council.
The bishops began to ordain permanent
deacons for the United States in the early seventies. The ministry emphasizes roles
in liturgy, preaching and service. Currently there are more than 18,000 deacons, about
3,000 of them retired. The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA and the Eparchy
of St Thomas-Syro-Malabar in Chicago do not have permanent deacons.
The most
recent survey found that the largest numbers of deacons were reported by the Archdiocese
of Galveston-Houston (414), Diocese of Trenton, New Jersey (383), Archdiocese of Los
Angeles (344) and Archdiocese of Hartford, Connecticut (300). Considering Catholic
population in an area, the Latin-rite dioceses with the highest concentration of permanent
deacons is Fairbanks, Alaska, with 482 Catholics to every deacon. Other high concentrations
are found in Lexington, Kentucky, 657 Catholics for each permanent deacons; Amarillo,
Texas, 773 Catholics per deacon; and Rapid City, South Dakota, 803 Catholics per deacon.
Ninety-three
percent of active deacons are currently married; four percent are widowers, and two
percent never married.
“The statistics are encouraging,” said Archbishop Robert
J Carlson, chair of the US bishops’ Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations.
“But they also alert us to the fact many of the deacons will soon reach retirement
age. This suggests a need for bishops to recruit a greater number of men to join the
ranks of the permanent diaconate.”
Ninety-five percent of active deacons are
at least 50 years old. About a quarter are in their fifties; 43 percent are in their
sixties; and 25 percent are 70 or older. Almost 90 percent of dioceses have a minimum
age for deacon candidacy and half have a mandatory retirement age. In the US the minimum
age for ordination to the permanent deaconate is 35. The average minimum age for acceptance
into a diaconate program is 33. Thirteen percent of dioceses have a mandatory retirement
age of 70. Eighty percent mandate retirement at 75.
Seventy-eight percent of
active deacons are white. Fifteen percent are Hispanic or Latino, Three percent are
African American and three percent are Asian.
Many permanent deacons hold jobs
outside of the ministry in such areas as sales, law or other work. An estimated 21
percent of active permanent deacons are also compensated for ministry. Some serve
in full-time ministry, for example in parishes or diocesan positions. Others are compensated
for hospital or prison ministry. A small percentage of deacons are entrusted with
full-time pastoral care of a parish and others work in a social services agency.
Almost
30 percent of permanent deacons hold a graduate degree, about two-thirds of them in
a field not related to the diaconate. Three in ten (31 percent) have a bachelor’s
degree as their highest level of education. Almost 20 percent have some college education
and another fifth have a high school degree. Eighty-five percent of deacons are required
to undergo post-ordination formation. The median number of hours is 20 per year. About
74 percent of dioceses also provide formation opportunities for wives of deacons.
(Source: ICN)