U.S. Church, Archdiocese of Newark embrace permanent deacons

A Portrait of the Permanent Diaconate in 2023: A Study for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has been released by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations. The Archdiocese of Newark reflects the U.S. in its support of the ministry with 20 new men expected to be ordained next year.

The terms “deacon” and “diaconate” derive from the Greek word diakonia, which means “service” or “ministry” and therefore a deacon is ordained by the Church for service. Canon law allows married men to become deacons. If not married or if they become widowed, they must make a vow of celibacy.

The survey provides important statistics and forecasting trends on the state of the permanent diaconate in the Church in the United States. Since 2005, the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University has conducted this annual survey.

Within the Archdiocese of Newark, there are currently 133 permanent deacons. Fifty-three are retired. Twenty men are currently in formation in Hispanic and English classes, to be ordained in the spring of 2025.

Father Joe Chapel, Director of Deacon Formation said that permanent deacons date back to the early days of Christianity when seven men were elected by the early Christian church to minister to the community of believers in Jerusalem and to enable the apostles to concentrate on “prayer and the Ministry of the Word.” In Acts 6: “So, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we will put in charge of this need. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” Around the year 1,000 AD, the ordained clergy position of deacon was discontinued and not reinstituted in Vatican II.

The restoration of the Permanent Diaconate (Diaconatus Ordinem) occurred in 1967 within the Archdiocese of Newark, with the ordination of the first class of permanent deacons in 1975. At that time, 77 men were ordained by Archbishop Leo Gerety, D.D., with 200 men applying and 144 beginning the probationary period.

“Since that time, the permanent diaconate program in Newark has seen many changes as both the theology and the praxis of the diaconate have developed and evolved under the influence of experience and guidance of the Holy Spirit,” according to rcan.org, the website of the Archdiocese of Newark. “As in almost all areas of the world where the permanent diaconate has taken root, it has grown and generally has exceeded expectations, not only in the numbers of men called to this ordained ministry but in the quality of its witness ‘as icons of Christ the servant.'”

Father Chapel said the call to become a permanent deacon is “significant” with a five- to six-year commitment. Most deacons are unpaid and volunteer many hours to service. Wives also must be supportive of the commitment.

A candidate first becomes an aspirant after formally requesting to enter into training. The men then meet monthly on a Saturday for 4 to 5 hours. After completing a psychological evaluation, a home visit, and a background check the pastor will then recommend whether the man should enter the academic program at Seton Hall where he will attend two classes a semester for 4 years, Father Chapel said.

Father Chapel said some of the 20 men who committed 5 years ago are expected to be ordained with the transitional deacons by Cardinal Joseph Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, in the spring of 2025.

Deacons provide service in three ways:

• Service of the Word — this includes preaching, offering catechetical instruction, spiritual counseling, instructing catechumens, giving retreats, conducting parish renewal programs, and reaching out to alienated Catholics
• Service of the Altar — Deacons’ role in the Eucharist — in addition to proclaiming the Gospel and articulating the Church’s needs in the general intercessions — is to prepare the gifts and distribute communion at the Lord’s table. Deacons may baptize children or adults, witness marriages in the name of the Church, bring Viaticum to the dying, and preside over wakes, funerals, and burial services.
• Service of Charity — is as extensive as are human needs. Deacons minister in prisons and in hospitals. They visit the homebound and people in nursing homes. They serve the mentally ill, the chemically dependent, the abused and the battered, the old and the young, the abandoned, the dying and the bereaved, immigrants and refugees and the victims of racial and ethnic discrimination.

Bishop Earl A. Boyea of Lansing, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations expressed his gratitude for the service of permanent deacons in the Church.

“An important part of the life of deacons has been their service of the poor or vulnerable by bringing them the love of Christ and guidance,” Bishop Lansing said. “The faithful and tireless witness of deacons is greatly appreciated, and it challenges each of us to strive to serve our neighbor better. I invite the faithful to pray and support deacons in their efforts to spread the Word of God and serve those who are many times the least, the last and the lost.” 

The survey utilized contact information from the National Association of Diaconate Directors (NADD) and was sent to the Office of the Permanent Diaconate in the Latin and Eastern Rite (arch)dioceses and eparchies. In total, CARA received responses from 128 of the 185 (arch)dioceses/eparchies whose bishops are members of the USCCB and have an active Office of Deacons, for a 69% response rate. 

• The estimated number of permanent deacons in active ministry was 13,718 in 2023, roughly 69% of all permanent deacons in the Latin Church. 
• The Archdiocese of Chicago had the greatest number of permanent deacons (827) followed by Galveston-Houston (346), New York (357), and Joliet in Illinois (307). 
• There were 587 men ordained to the permanent diaconate in 2023. Since 2014, the estimated number of ordinations averaged 613. 
• Most active deacons are between 60-69 years old (42%) followed by deacons 70 and older (36%). 
• Most permanent deacons are Caucasian/white (73%) followed by Hispanic/Latino (20%), Asian/Pacific Islander (3%), African American/black (3%), and Native American/other (1%). 
• Active permanent deacons most commonly serve in a parish ministerial position, such as a DRE or youth minister (23%), followed by a parish non-ministerial position, such as administration or business (20%), diocesan non-ministerial positions (12%). Additionally, 9% were entrusted with the pastoral care of one or more parishes, 8% serve in prison ministry and hospital ministry. 

Candidates must:

• Be at least 31 years old and not over 60 at the start of formation
• If married, have the consent of his wife in writing
• If married and a parent, have children that are at least 5 years old
• Be recommended by their pastor
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Be a citizen or a permanent resident of the US
• Have a reasonable grasp of the English language
• Be in good health
• Be a resident of the Archdiocese of Newark, unless a waiver is obtained from the Archbishop
• Show evidence of participation in a parish for a period of 3 years
• Be willing to serve the Archdiocese for a minimum of 3 years
• Have no criminal record (felony)
• If unmarried or widowed, promise celibacy at ordination

For more information call the Office of the Permanent Diaconate at 973-497-4223 or email diaconate.formation@rcan.org.

The full survey conducted by CARA may be accessed here.

The USCCB contributed to this report.

Featured image: All current permanent diaconate candidates with Bishop Michael Saporito (center); Father Joe Chapel (bottom center); Deacon Robert Liwanag, Assistant Director of Formation for the Permanent Diaconate (bottom 4th from right in green vestments).
(Courtesy Father Chapel)