Deacon Michael McGovern
HARRISBURG, Pa. – The Most Reverend Timothy C. Senior, Bishop of Harrisburg, is pleased to announce the appointment of Deacon Michael McGovern as the new Director of Permanent Deacons for the Diocese of Harrisburg. In this role, Deacon McGovern will oversee the overall direction, initial formation, ongoing formation, and administration of the permanent diaconate within the Diocese. Deacon McGovern began his new position on September 8, 2025. To maintain continuity, the current class of men in formation for the permanent diaconate will continue their formation under the oversight of Reverend John Bateman. Formation responsibilities will be turned over to Deacon McGovern with the next class.
Ordained as a deacon for the Diocese of Harrisburg in September 2020, Deacon McGovern brings both pastoral experience and professional leadership to his new position. He will work closely with the Secretary for Clergy and Consecrated Life, the Director of Vocations, and other diocesan offices to plan, organize, facilitate, and manage both pre-ordination and post-ordination activities for permanent deacons.
Deacon McGovern recently retired after a 30-year career in public safety. Throughout his career, Deacon McGovern worked his way up through the ranks and was promoted to the position of Chief of Police for the Washington Township Police Department in Waynesboro, Pa. His extensive background in public service, leadership, and community engagement uniquely equips him to support the mission and ministry of the diaconate. Deacon McGovern, who lives in Waynesboro with his wife, Tara, will continue his ministry responsibilities with Saint Andrew Catholic Church in addition to his new obligations.
“We are blessed to have Deacon McGovern assume this important leadership role,” said Bishop Senior. “His dedication to both faith and public service is a true witness to the vocation of the permanent deacon.”
“I look forward to this new role in my ministry as a deacon for the Diocese,” said Deacon McGovern. “I am grateful for this opportunity and thank Bishop Senior and Father Mark Speitel, Secretary for Clergy and Consecrated Life, for their confidence in me,” said Deacon McGovern.
There are two types of deacons in the Catholic Church – transitional and permanent. Transitional deacons are those men who are preparing for ordination to the sacred priesthood. Permanent deacons are men who, in many cases, have a career and family and have discerned service to the Church in a greater way. As a permanent deacon, these men proclaim, preach and teach God’s Word, assist the priest and bishop during the Mass, assist at funerals, minister to the sick and dying, can administer the sacraments of baptism and matrimony, and provide administrative leadership to their local church and diocese.
For more information about the diaconate in the Diocese of Harrisburg, please visit www.hbgdiocese.org/vocations/deacons.
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The Diocese of Harrisburg was established on March 3, 1868. It has 88 parishes, 6 missions, 2 communities, 32 Catholic schools, and is home to approximately 201,000 registered Catholics throughout its 15 counties. To learn more about the Diocese and its ministries, visit www.hbgdiocese.org.
