Over 20,000 permanent deacons serve church, but death, retirement bring overall number down

Annual report finds there are ‘not enough’ deacons being ordained in the U.S.

Deacons gather in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome in February. The number of deacons in the U.S. has declined year over year, according to a recent report, June 13, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jun 14, 2025 / 08:00 ... [...]

Over 20,000 permanent deacons serve church, but death, retirement bring overall number down

The report -- "A Portrait of the Permanent Diaconate in 2025" -- was released June 12 by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations.

Over 20,000 permanent deacons serve church, but death, retirement bring overall number down - Catholic Review

The nation’s Catholic permanent deacons were estimated to number more than 20,000 in 2024 — but “as is the case with priests in the United States, there are not enough new permanent deacons being ordained to make up for the numbers who are retiring from active ministry and dying each year,” according to a new report. “A Portrait of the Permanent Diaconate in 2025” was released June 12 by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Cler…

USA: A Portrait of the Permanent Diaconate in 2025 - ZENIT

(ZENIT News / Washington, 06.13.2025).- “Deacons serve an invaluable role in bringing the hope of the Gospel to all members of society,” said Bishop Earl Boyea of Lansing. “By their witness in the parish, within their families, at the workplace, and while serving the poor, the life of a deacon displays the servant heart of Christ in their faithful, and often hidden, acts of charity.” The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on …