Deacon Statistics

[Tim Killmeyer]

Deacon Bill Ditewig passed these along on another list and I thought I would share.

Tim

Thought some recent US statistics might be useful in this discussion. The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) is doing an updated statistical survey over the next several months, but the latest figures I have are still pretty recent (early 2004).

In the US:

The average age of deacons in the US is 61; in almost every other part of the world, the average age of deacons is 41.

In the 1970s in the US, the average age at the time of ordination was 46; in the 1980s, it was up to 49; in the 1990s, it was up to 53. I anticipate that our update will show that "age at ordination" has continued to rise.

In the US, only 38% of deacons report working in secular jobs, occupations or careers.

In the US, approximately 30% of deacons report working full-time in a church position, and being compensated for this full time ministry. This percentage is a bit higher (about 32%) among younger deacons (those born after 1943).

Nor surprisingly, then, roughly 30% of US deacons report being retired from a secular job. Among these retirees, some are full-time "volunteers" (i.e., not financially compensated) in ministry, others are part-time "volunteers" in ministry. Only about 1% of US deacons report themselves as being completely retired (both from secular and ecclesial involvement).

The full report of some 60 pages is available on our web site at www.usccb.org/deacon. As I say, I hope to have a much more comprehensive update in a few months.

God bless,

Bill

Deacon William T. Ditewig, Ph.D. Executive Director, Secretariat for the Diaconate Executive Director, Secretariat for Evangelization United States Conference of Catholic Bishops 3211 Fourth St. NE Washington, DC 20017 202-541-3038

[Tim Killmeyer]

Some new stats for 2010
www.zenit.org/article-29415?l=english

Permanent Diaconate on the Rise in US


WASHINGTON, D.C., MAY 28, 2010 (Zenit.org).- There are more than 17,000 permanent deacons in the dioceses of the United States, a recent study of the U.S. bishops reports.

The diaconate is the first of three ranks in ordained ministry. Permanent deacons are those who are not planning to be ordained priests, and who carry out acts of ministry and service in their parishes and dioceses.

The study, titled "A Portrait of the Permanent Diaconate 2010," was commissioned by the Secretariat of Clergy and Consecrated Life and Vocations of the U.S. bishops' conference, and conducted by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University.

The study, which is conducted annually, used data collected from 93% of all U.S. dioceses and Eastern Rite eparchies, estimates that there are some 17,047 permanent deacons in the United States, of whom approximately 16,349 are active in ministry.

All but one diocese reported having permanent deacons, and 21 dioceses reported having more than 200 permanent deacons, with Chicago having the largest number with 646.

An estimated 92% of active permanent deacons are married, 4% are widowers and 2% have never been married.

Sixty percent of permanent deacons are 60 years old or older, and 25% are 70 and older. Also, 81% are white, 14% are Hispanic, 2% are African American and 2% are Asian.

Some 28% of permanent deacons have graduate degrees, 18% are paid for their work as deacons, and 84% of dioceses surveyed require deacons to obtain some form of post-ordination formation.

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On the Net:

For the complete results: www.usccb.org/cclv