Michael Brooks
Deacons are ordained ministers of the Catholic Church. They are responsible for bringing Christ to every corner of society and administering a wide range of functions, including baptism, custodianship and dispensation of the Eucharist, assistance at marriages, and reading the Sacred Scripture. There are three degrees of ordination in the Catholic Church: deacon, priest, and bishop. In the United States, there are an estimated 13,000 to 20,888 deacons, with the majority being married, white, and over the age of 50. However, the number of deacons is declining, with more retiring from active ministry and dying than new deacons being ordained.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of deacons in the US | 19,000 (2021), 13,695 in active ministry (2022), 20,888 (2021-2022) |
| Number of new ordinations (2021) | 458 |
| Number of retirements (2021) | 512 |
| Number of deaths (2021) | 393 |
| Age demographics | 20% in their 50s, 41% in their 60s, 36% 70 or older |
| Marital status | 93% married, 4% widowed, 2% never married, 1% divorced |
| Racial and ethnic makeup | 72% white, 21% Hispanic, 4% Asian/Pacific Islander, 3% Black, <1% Native American or other |
| Archdioceses with the most deacons | Chicago (804-868), Los Angeles (426-498), Joliet, Illinois (497), Galveston-Houston (361-367), New York (305-350) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
There are an estimated 13,000 to 20,888 Catholic deacons in the US
A thorough study of the permanent diaconate in the US in 2021-2022 estimated that there were 20,888 permanent deacons in the country, with 20,673 serving in Latin Rite dioceses and 215 in Eastern Catholic eparchies. This study was based on responses from 141 out of 183 dioceses and eparchies in the US that have an active permanent diaconate office and formation program, a 77% response rate.
The Archdiocese of Chicago had the greatest number of permanent deacons (804 or 868, according to different sources), followed by the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston (361 or 367) and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles (498 or 426, according to different sources).
Deacons are an ordained minister in the Catholic Church and are dedicated to eliminating injustices or inequities. They fill a wide range of ministerial positions in the Church, with the most common position being a parish ministerial role, such as a DRE or youth minister (22%). They are also often responsible for the pastoral care of one or more parishes (21%) and parish non-ministerial roles (15%).
According to CARA, 93% of deacons are married, 4% are widowed, 2% have never married, 1% are divorced and have not remarried, and fewer than 1% remarried after ordination. The racial and ethnic makeup of US deacons is predominantly white (72-76%), followed by Hispanic (21%), Asian/Pacific Islander (3-4%), Black (3-4%), and fewer than 1% Native American or other.
Edith Stein's Nunhood: A Devout Catholic's Journey
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The number of deacons is dropping
Deacons are ordained ministers of the Catholic Church. They are "`to serve and not to be served'". There are three groups, or "orders", of ordained ministers in the Church: bishops, presbyters, and deacons. Deacons are ordained as a sacramental sign to the Church and to the world of Christ.
The number of Catholic deacons in the US is dropping. In 2021, it was estimated that there were 19,000 deacons in the US, with the Archdiocese of Chicago having the most deacons at 852, and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles coming in second with 426. However, a more recent study in 2021-2022 estimated a higher number of 20,888 permanent deacons in the country, with Chicago still in the lead at 804, followed by Los Angeles with 498, and Joliet in Illinois with 497.
The decline in the number of deacons has implications for the Catholic Church. Deacons play a crucial role in the Church's ministry of love and service, especially to the poor and vulnerable. They are entrusted with the responsibility of bringing Christ to every corner of society and carrying out their ministry in imitation of Christ the servant. Deacons fill a wide range of ministerial positions in the Church, including parish ministerial positions, pastoral care, parish non-ministerial positions, diocesan non-ministerial positions, and hospital ministry.
The Catholic Church has recognized the importance of deacons and their unique role in serving the community. The Second Vatican Council, held from 1962 to 1965, authorized the restoration of the diaconate as a permanent order of ministry. This decision allowed for the ordination of "`mature married men', defined as men over the age of 35, which has contributed to the growth of the diaconate in recent years. However, despite this effort, the number of deacons in the US continues to decline, mirroring similar trends in religious life and the priesthood.
Theatre Ban: Catholic Church's Lengthy Censorship
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Deacons are ordained ministers in the Catholic Church
Deacons are responsible for proclaiming the Gospel, preaching, and teaching in the name of the Church. They are also involved in sacraments, including baptisms, leading the faithful in prayer, witnessing marriages, and conducting funeral services. As leaders in identifying the needs of others, they marshal the Church's resources to meet those needs.
In the Catholic Church, there are three groups or "orders" of ordained ministers: bishops, presbyters, and deacons. Deacons are ordained as a sacramental sign to the Church and to the world of Christ, who came "to serve and not to be served." This is in reference to Christ's call for the entire Church to serve, and deacons, through their sacramental ordination and various ministries, embody this servant role.
Deacons are typically married men over the age of 35, in keeping with the ancient tradition of the Church. According to a 2021-2022 study, there were approximately 20,888 permanent deacons in the United States, with the majority serving in Latin Rite dioceses. However, the number of deacons is declining, mirroring trends in religious life and the priesthood.
Ambrosian Rite Catholics: A Small, Devoted Group
You may want to see also
Explore related products
They have a unique role in the Church
Deacons are ordained ministers of the Catholic Church, with the ministry of deacon stretching back to the early Church. They are referred to as "Deacon" and are ordained as a sacramental sign to the Church and to the world of Christ, who came "to serve and not to be served".
There are three groups, or "orders", of ordained ministers in the Church: bishops, presbyters, and deacons. Deacons are assigned by the bishop to ministries where they perceive a great need and where the deacon may have special gifts or talents. They assist priests in their pastoral and administrative duties, reporting directly to the bishops of their diocese.
Deacons have a unique role in the Church, described as "the eyes and ears, the mouth, heart and soul of the bishop". They are entrusted with the responsibility of bringing Christ to every corner of society, carrying out their ministry "in imitation of Christ the servant and impelled by the spirit of charity". They are ministers of Word, Sacrament, and Charity. As ministers of Word, deacons proclaim the Gospel, preach, and teach in the name of the Church. They also assist in the distribution of holy communion and lead the litanies. As ministers of Sacrament, they baptize, solemnly administer the Eucharist, assist at and bless marriages, and conduct funeral services. Finally, as ministers of Charity, they are leaders in identifying the needs of others and marshaling the Church's resources to meet those needs.
In 2021, there were an estimated 19,000 deacons in the United States, with 93% of them being married. However, this number is dropping, with more deacons retiring from active ministry and dying than new deacons being ordained.
Judith Slaying Holofernes: Counter Reformation Symbolism
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Most deacons are married
The Catholic Church has three degrees of ordination: deacon, priest, and bishop. Deacons are members of the clergy who receive the same sacrament of orders as priests and bishops, but without the obligation of celibacy. In the Catholic Church, deacons are entrusted with the unique responsibility of bringing Christ to every corner of society. They carry out their ministry in imitation of Christ the servant and are impelled by the spirit of charity.
Married men have been admitted to the clergy of the Catholic Church since the Second Vatican Council in the form of permanent deacons. These men are considered clerics and receive the same sacrament of orders that priests and bishops receive. However, they do not have the same obligation of celibacy as priests and bishops. According to a study by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, 92% of American deacons are married. Another study found that 93% of active permanent deacons are currently married.
In the United States, mature married men aged 35 and older can be ordained as permanent deacons, but younger men must promise celibacy. If an unmarried man is ordained as a deacon, he cannot marry after ordination. This restriction also applies to married deacons whose wives pass away. The reasoning behind this rule is not based on specific theology but rather on the significant authority and power that deacons hold in their communities.
Most deacons' wives are involved in their husbands' ministry, joining them as they minister to prison inmates or helping to coordinate baptisms and marriages. The diaconal identity of these married men is closely tied to their identity as husbands and fathers, and their ministry often takes place within their homes and workplaces. The two sacraments of marriage and ordination are believed to reinforce each other, drawing people closer to Christ and his Church.
IUP's Catholic Community: A Place to Belong
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
It is estimated that there are between 14,586 and 20,888 Catholic deacons in the US. The number of deacons has been dropping in recent years.
The Archdiocese of Chicago has the greatest number of permanent deacons, with 804, followed by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles with 498, and Joliet in Illinois with 497.
According to CARA, 93% of Catholic deacons in the US are married, 4% are widowed, 2% have never married, 1% are divorced and have not remarried, and fewer than 1% remarried subsequent to diaconal ordination.
Close to all (95%) active permanent Catholic deacons in the US are at least 50 years old. About a fifth (20%) are in their 50s, 41% are in their 60s, and 36% are 70 or older.
