There has been a decline in vocations -- the number of men becoming priests -- in the Catholic Church for quite some time now. The effects can be seen throughout the area. Churches that used to have several priests only have one and there are indeed parishes without a priest.
The decline has long been seen as a crisis and then more recently, I have heard many in the church speak of the surprising benefits. The decreased number of priests has forced a greater involvement of the laity in church life. Priests become a member of the Church with a specialized role.
While I generally adopted that view, I think there are some distinct disadvantages. My uncle is a priest and when we visited in New York, we had Palm Sunday Mass in the rectory chapel with my uncle, the twins and me, and my brother's family. I thought about how accustomed I am to have a priest in the family. The priesthood is demystified for me. There's someone close to advise on questions of ritual and theology.
With fewer priests, some people rarely have a conversation with a priest. Priests become even more specialized, with important powers. I think that we will suffer in the long run for that.
Posted by Justene Adamec at April 10, 2004 09:52 AM | TrackBackIt truly depends on the diocese you're talking about. The ones that adhere to the true teachings of the Church have a greater number of priests than those that are just lukewarm. Same goes with the various orders. I would imagine the Jesuits' numbers are in the toilet.
I've heard good things about recruitments in the Dioceses of Arlington (VA) and some in Nebraska. I know from friends that Arlington has plenty of priests to go around.
Perhaps part of our recruitment problems in SoCal stem from a certain Cardinal that hangs out in a truly garish cathedral in Los Angeles? Hmm?? ;-)
Posted by: Molly at April 10, 2004 12:49 PM (Permalink)Molly, did you go to Steubenville? Email me.
Justene, the shortage is artificial. Molly is partly right. God has not stopped calling men to the priesthood. Men have just stopped responding or have not been taught what that nagging feeling inside of them is, or they have been unable to hear Him because of the din of modern life. There's also the problem of feminists nuns being vocations directors for the freaking priesthood.
Posted by: Patrick at April 12, 2004 11:31 PM (Permalink)