5 Myths About the Priest Shortage

It's not secret that there is a shortage of priests in the Catholic Church. What might surprise people is that vocations are actually on the rise. Here's a look at five commonly held statements that are not as true as we think.
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[@ChristianSaintSavior]

Keep praying for the men and women Catholic Religious, both the old and new ones. They need all the support we can give them.

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

They often get lost in the discussion. Vocations directors of dioceses are usually only focused on priestly candidates, but women religious are integral to the life of the Church. Many would argue that they are the backbone of American Catholicism.

[@gregorystevensh8649]

Hopefully they'll stop raping nuns too. The Church took over twenty years after hearing complaints to do anything about it. Read Cornwell's book The Pontiff in Winter.

[@laganlurcher1947]

How do you get a nun pregnant? Dress her as an alter boy.

[@TheFofotron]

@@gregorystevensh8649 Cringe

[@TheFofotron]

@@laganlurcher1947 Cringe.

[@scolley0616]

As a married Deacon of the Diocese of Worcester, MA I was called to be a deacon by God not to be a priest. Parishioners have asked me if I would become a priest if it were to open to married men or if my wife passed away. The answer is a definitive NO. If priesthood was my vocation, it would have manifested itself long ago before I was ever married or considered marriage. Br. Deacon Casey, this is a wonderful channel and have enjoyed all the videos so far. Keep up the good work and I pray for you in your journey to the priesthood.

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

Scott Colley Thank you for your vocation! I try to tell people that they are different vocations and different callings, thanks for reminding us.

[@richardmurr2687]

@@BreakingInTheHabit Unfortunately, the state of deacons in eastern rites of Catholicism is ambiguous, I would be very thankful if you do a video on this.

[@richardmurr2687]

For ordaining married men, I am a greek catholic, and we have this option. And actually it compensates a lot of the lack in religious (celibate for sure) priests. And actually many eastern catholic do discern their priestly vocation after marriage... Maybe the spiritual pathes get mature differently for everyone. Then yes it is a blessing and theologically, traditionally and biblically sound. (As for women, we can bring back the old "deaconness" order). Though of course, it is not the only solution and we still have some lacks in some places...

[@richardmurr2687]

I guess that we need to encourage hesitating potential vocations: 1-to be clear about practical matters of clerical daily life (like money issues). 2-"Sensing" from a young age the differents charisms and vocations in the service of Christ and the church by presenting them on parishes level through homilies, spiritual retreats; exploring them in youth groups, prayers groups... And following them up. 3- Presenting a realistic image of the Church and her saints and the Gospel's heroes: neither idealistic nor pessimistic, it is enough to remember how much the conversions of St Augustine and St Mary of Magdalena can be inspiring!

[@deaconbilcarter5210]

Scott - same here! I am not a priest! It's a bit frustrating when people regard us as "potential priests" that could alleviate the priest shortage.

[@karlfranciscoabellanosa5972]

I wanna become a priest when I grow up

[@karlfranciscoabellanosa5972]

Because I want to dedicate my life to God

[@patricianunes3521]

God Bless you and keep you to him

[@antoniomoyal]

Lucky you! Go for it!

[@Anthony-zx8xq]

Look at Orthodoxy before you make another commitment to Rome. An added bonus to Orthodoxy is that you can be a priest and get married.

[@patricksoares6253]

@@Anthony-zx8xq Are you trying to convince him with that? Really!?

[@daryla7825]

Br. Casey, I am very impressed by you when I read your replies to people, especially the haters. You are a true Knight of the Church.

[@toddellis2522]

Visited St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia yesterday. They have more seminarians this year than they have had in over 15 years - 164 men! AMDG

[@shirtless6934]

There are 23 rites within the universal Catholic Church. Although the largest and most well known of the rites, the Roman rite, imposes the requirement of celibacy, the others do not. I am Ukrainian Catholic, and our pastor is married, and has three children, and two grandchildren. It is entirely normal, and Ukrainian Catholics have been in communion with Rome since 1596 pursuant to the Union of Brest.

[@camperiv1]

Yeah, it's not a dogma; it is a rule. Latin priests do it because they are supposed to represent Christ.

[@icetlorenzo9377]

@@camperiv1 AMEN. They leave everything for the gospel, just as the scripture say. We must pray for them constantly as they are always the most tempted by evil.

[@natenate4259]

Leo Tom yes but that’s because the Syro-Malabar church was the most latinize and syro malankara was influenced by that fact Most eastern church have married priest

[@natenate4259]

jensen married or not priest represent Christ

[@thatsnoternie]

I’ve interacted with some Ukrainian Catholic clergy and having married priests creates its own problems. A married priest, especially one with kids, cannot be moved as easily as a celibate, so it’s harder for the bishop to put priests where they are most needed. The Ukrainian Rite priests, even in metropolitan archeparchies, still often have insufficient priests to staff parishes and the chancery. It is a discipline, not a dogma, but changing a discipline still needs to be carefully discerned. The bottom line is that we must constantly pray for vocations to the priesthood, regardless of the rite to which we belong.

[@joyyoung3319]

Prayers going out for ALL Priests, Religious Brothers and Sisters, Deacons, Seminarians, our Pope, Bishops, Cardinals and all discerning vocations to and preparing for the Priesthood & the Religious Life.

[@carverredacted]

I'm not Catholic but this is interesting. Thanks for the information

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@billybob-bj3nw]

Pray everyday for our priests, nuns, brothers, and sisters! It is no easy vocation, and we must help each other in our earthly journey. Remember, please donate to religious orders, too! I know the Dominicans have been blessed with many vocations, but are struggling to financially support these friars. If you are considering making a charitable donation, please consider doing so to these societies/orders!

[@tapestry6455]

The Church is not a man made institution. Therefore it isn't doomed the Holy Spirit will always be with us.

[@ivorybow]

"Make the mission of Christ present through us, rather than waiting for someone else to take care of it." Amen!

[@Nepthu]

Interesting information, but my parish now has more church buildings than priests. In fact, we were sent a priest from India with an accent so thick no one could understand him, and attendance at Mass dropped because of it. The bishop didn't even make sure he could speak passable English before assigning him to our parish. Also, the priests can not longer chat with parishioners after Mass. Instead, they have to race across town to give another Mass at another church in an hour. The shortage is real and it's growing.

[@JodianWarrior]

It's a real shortage, but I think the shortage is in the number of young people who are serious about their faith, not in the percentage of those people who become priests.

[@franciscoredondo1016]

Thanks for the useful links that you share in the description, Br. Right now I am in the first stages of a discernment process. I'm open to whatever God wants for my life, so please pray for me! Thank you!

[@nataliabenoit4653]

Francisco Redondo ill pray for you.

[@mikechet49]

These videos are excellent, Brother Casey. Keep them coming! We as the laity are the Church with the clergy, not apart from them. Great point

[@melciadsouza8538]

Very nice video! Like all your videos! Thanks for saying yes to your call! You are helping us all by your fiat. I will try to do my best to share my talents with my church and to contribute and compliment the work of my priests in my church. I always forget to pray for more vocations to the priesthood but your video fr. encouraged me to include that intention in my daily rosary. Fr. Casey please pray for me to become a saint by obtaining God's grace to obey him and him alone not the devil. And to be more courageous in defending myself. Obedience is very tough for me! Thanks! Melcia

[@icetlorenzo9377]

Melcia D'Souza...God bless you ALWAYS with health, peace and love. I will be praying for you. Take care!

[@JP2GiannaT]

Holy marriages with kids too...priests gotta come from somewhere.

[@geoknee]

Your last comment was spot on Br. Casey! Let’s encourage the faithful to be disciples!!

[@555lawman]

Excellent job...as always ! Keep up the fine work .

[@adam2956]

In Ireland, there's a lot of African priests coming over to save parishes. We were once the land of saints and scholars

[@kevinrhatigan5656]

I know. It's sad. Only a return to Tradition will save Ireland and the West.

[@brm80]

Very true

[@carmelpereira6003]

Thank you Fr for the informative video. Sure, priests and the religious vocations are needed in the Catholic Church. I believe that the focus shouldn't be on quantity but rather the quality of the men and women who get ordained. I know this comment is late but thank you for all the work you do. I will certainly pray for you and your mission.

[@josephschlink2729]

Thanks Fr. Casey Cole. I'm checking out the Franciscan website.

[@OsiegbuAnthony]

for a fact there are some places in Nigeria (Africa) that has too many priests required to run a parish.. Places where you have 4 priests to a parish. But it's a saddening thing to know that those that brought Catholicism to our country now lacks more priest and we have to send some of ours to them. But all hope isn't lost. There are many seminarians studying to become priest. Things will take shape soonest

[@Toudeusz]

Not in Poland. Here most often we have got like 4 priest working in one parish, and at least one for each. Many of our priests decide to go to other countres to serve.

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

Like I said: it is a myth that priests are in shortage everywhere or declining.

[@leilanithirang4180]

praying for more holy vocations;) God bless you;) Thanks, Fr.Casey;)

[@powerliftingcentaur]

Great, informative video, with the most important points made at the end.

[@GabrielAlpiryHurtado]

Thank´s a lot from Bolivia

[@ThatIndianBlader]

Catholic's have increased but priests haven't

[@microbroadcast]

Very good production values, which is great to see.

[@NequeNon]

There is a severe shortage and crisis of vocations. Not for priests however, for the laity. It amazes me to go to mass, sometimes in rather remote places with very few people in the pews, and yet a priest is made available for them. Thank God! We have to be realistic about this and start to make proper statistical distinctions between whole numbers of baptized and "liturgically involved" Catholics. We will have a real crisis of priestly vocations if lay Catholics actually took the faith a little more seriously and at least did the bare minimum. But, in the several countries I've visited I see the same issue: a continuous decimation of the ranks of laity, despite the miraculous presence of priests. Please feel free to criticize this next thought but I feel compelled to ask: is the focus on priestly vocations in the Church as seen as the measure of the general health of the Catholic community a little bit clericalist? Isn't the calling of the priest to serve, and thus the major focus (including statistical) be on those that are to be served? Another great clip Deacon Casey! Thank You!

[@haydendude]

After Vatican 2 everything declined many monastery's closed. So sad

[@tolethom]

there was a cultural revolution in 60´s, and celibacy is now much more countercultural than it was in the middle of the XXth century

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

Yes... but again, that is an artificial date in the process. Decline started well before Vatican II. It is much more accurate to say that many monasteries closed after World War II.

[@brianrinz5586]

Decline did start before Vatican II. Vatican II doesn't seem to have helped. But regardless, your WWII statement is equally inaccurate. If you look at historical Gallup polls and attitudes on religion type studies, you'll find a dip in religious observance and church attendance, etc in the 1930s. Then we reached all time highs in attendance and other metrics after WWII in the 50s and early 60s. The stats don't support your WWII theory.

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

You are welcome to add to or critique the theory, but do you have any sources? I have presented one of my own, and a look at post-war philosophy, art, and religion on an academic level confirms what I am saying: the events of the war had a tremendous effect on the growing of atheism and dissociation from religion.

[@brianrinz5586]

You have presented no sources, just made an assertion (a vague one at that). Are we talking about America? I assume so since you are American. I have plenty of info on America. I would also venture to say that a lot of it applies the same to Europe (though lots of other factors too that makes it difficult to gauge). Historian William Hutchinson, in his book "Past Imperfect: History and the Prospect for Liberalism", suggests that religion in the US barely kept pace with population growth in the early 20th century (if that). According to Gallup polling, about 3/4 claimed religious affiliation in 1940, but 37% of those polled said they had been to church the week prior. In the time period of the mid 50s to early 60s, weekly attendance hovered at around 50%. It seems that the war actually at least superficially/nominally made people more religious, at least in the US. My source here is the book "Vanishing Boundaries: the Religion of Mainline Protestant Baby Boomers" by Hoge, Johnson, and Luidens. Further analysis of religious trends that I'm drawing on also include Charles Murray's "Coming Apart: The State of White America. 1960-2010." Citing Gallup: In 1948, 22% of the population called themselves Catholic. In 1952, 26% identified as Catholic. Into the 80s we reached all time highs (28%) of the population calling themselves Catholic (again, this is self-reported and as we know, actions and words don't always match, but if the war narrative were true, you would not expect to see these kinds of results). In 2016, Gallup reported 22% identify as Catholic (back to 1948 levels). In 1953, 98% of respondents to the Gallup religion poll answered "yes" to the question "Do you believe in God?" This was higher than the results for the same question in 1947 (94%) and 1944 (96%). Today we stand at 87%. If we are going to talk about the closing of monasteries as the other poster mentioned, I can only present some anecdotes. I could research this more too and probably find a similar pattern, though I simply don't feel like doing even more legwork (I can leave this to you to disprove perhaps). But in my hometown (Cleveland), Catholic school education reached peak enrollment in the 1960s and 1970s. Lots of these schools were urban. Fast forward today, half of them are either merged, closed, or in far flung suburbs. Ditto with parishes. The big closures came in Cleveland in 2009, when the bishop closed 50 parishes in 15 months. 2009, not 1949. That same bishop had also been instrumental in closings in Boston as well (where I live now). A monastery in my Boston neighborhood also survived the 40s, 50s, 60s etc but couldn't cut it this century. It will become student condos. Much like several other churches have become in the area (except when they've become luxury condos). So to sum it up in response to your claim about the war being responsible for growing atheism and religious dissociation, the data comparing immediate post war years to pre war years don't show what you are suggesting. I find that this is unlikely to be true then, as one would imagine that the most dramatic effects of the war would have been felt by those that experienced it first hand vs children and grandchildren of those who did. I believe that other explanations (to be clear, I am not making any here) are likely much more enlightening.

[@ajmizenko983]

Excellent video

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

Thank you for this information! God bless!

[@jgsonola1651]

Pls continue this.

[@anthonylangford7797]

The enclosed orders such as the Trappists had a great influx of vocations after WW2 especially after reading Thomas Mertons Seven story mountain.

[@Elizabeth-rh1hl]

Thanks for sharing this data. It gives us a more clear and positive perspective.

[@stephencook9727]

I viewed this video with particular interest, and I accept a number of the points that you make about the general situation with regard to vocations and priests. It is great that numbers of priests are increasing somewhat. But your argument does contain one crucial logical flaw. If the number of Roman Catholics has increased to something just over 1.1 billion in recent years, then this is not a sudden increase, but an organic increase over time. The relevant comparison is therefore between the number of baptised catholics there are in the world, and the number of ordained priests. From your analysis, the latter has not kept pace with the former, which is a decline, because out of a larger pool of catholic men should come a larger number of vocations, and from among the vocations, an increase in ordinations resulting in more priests. (Though you will also need to examine the age profile of serving priests to see how that will work out over time). Is that fair? You are quite right to point out that the same decrease has occurred across the other Christian denominations, so it may be due in part to a cultural influence, but your argument does sound like a justification.

[@dawnlapka2433]

That whole married men and women thing I agree with. If I could have chosen Either or not Both AND it would have been a lot simpler. But somehow, that's not what God called me to. He gave me to dedicated Lay leadership, with married life as a good woman. I have three grown children and three grandchildren, so far. We have to pray for Vocations, Father. God bless you 🙏❤️😇💞

[@azmiraclegirl441]

Im realizing how blessed I am, we have multiple priests and deacons for our parish. We have a huge congregation but it still feels great :)

[@danguerriero3094]

Vatican was a disaster many Priest, Brothers and Nuns left. Many today are craving for the Sacred and the Latin Mass. Just look at Saint John Cantius in Chicago. Let's be honest.

[@mariamcnulty8198]

Let's be honest. Not everyone wants a St John Cantius kind of Reform of the Reform.And that's the problem. We aren't all the same and we all prefer different options that Rome permits.

[@210SAi]

Vatican? It’s been around hundreds of years......

[@12369ja]

I am starting the process of becoming a monk, I have wanted to become a monk for about 5 years and I am currently trying to set up a first visit at a monastery

[@laganlurcher1947]

Is it necessary to be homosexual to be a monk?

[@reyjuario6043]

We are never short of vocation. Our numbe is just growing damatically. BTW, there are more than 2 million lay ministers who are also serving the church actively.

[@nonenothing8648]

I agree. Where there is no priest, God will always find a way. We have millions of good lay people to help when needed.

[@GeorgePenton-np9rh]

Bring back the Traditional Latin Mass and there will be plenty of vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Seminaries that teach the Latin Mass have so many applicants that applicants have to be put on a two or three year waiting list.

[@210SAi]

Examples of such?

[@GeorgePenton-np9rh]

@@210SAi The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter in Denton, Nebraska.

[@deaconbilcarter5210]

Blaming Vatican II for just about everything seems to be the route many Catholics take when evaluating the state of the Church. The four core documents of Vatican II are openly available to anyone who wants to read them, and there is absolutely nothing shocking or controversial in them. The Church simply did not change its teachings or beliefs as a direct mandate of the Council. To prove this, simply ask a person to name a single teaching from the Council that led to the current crisis. They can't. However, an argument can be made that the implementation of reforms was botched, especially in Western countries. There is absolutely nothing wrong or lacking in the Novus Ordo Mass, but the way liturgies were secularized and removed of all sense of sanctity in many parishes was a tremendous mistake. Further, the introduction of quasi-clerical ministries was not helpful. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, lay readers and even horrible selections in liturgical music have made many liturgies lose their sense of the divine to many faithful. None of those implementations came from the Council.

[@thomasdonohue1833]

The problem with Vatican 2 is it was poorly implemented. The one thing that came out of Vatican 2 that I dislike is the Novus Ordo Mass

[@deaconbilcarter5210]

@@thomasdonohue1833 unfortunately, that is because the Novus Ordo is often celebrated irreverently. I can assure you, there are many parishes, my own included, that celebrated the Novus Ordo beautifully. And there is no restriction whatsoever to celebrating the Novus Ordo...in Latin, which is something we've done as well. Tell your pastor you want it, and get other parishioners interested, too. If your pastor celebrates poorly, get a new parish.

[@kevinrhatigan5656]

Even the most reverent NO doesn't contain the prayers at the foot at the altar, the complete Confiteor (instead of the butchered version the post Council gave us) and a plethora of crosses, genuflexions etc that were removed. It also contains the incorrect spirit of participation rather than the correct spirit of adoration.

[@kevinrhatigan5656]

Sir, how can you say there is nothing controversial in them? Liberty of religion. Accepting separation of Church and State. Liberty to pray with members of others religions. None of that was accepted before V2.

[@mg7094]

My great grandfather, a historian working in early medieval papal documents, was a friend of the pope before John the xxiii. His wife wrote a letter to the pope in the early sixties telling him he should let priest marry to combat the shortage because her minister son had six boys and four of them became ministers.

[@CarpeDiem-bu3lz]

Good thing he didn’t listen 😂😂😂

[@DarrylCross]

As to #4 - the Church does allow for married priests.... sort of. The discipline of celibacy is only binding on certain Rites in the Church, such as the Latin Rite. The Byzantine Rite does allow for married men to be ordained (but not for ordained men to get married later). There are also special provisions that may be given that allow married Orthodox clergy who convert to Catholicism to carry out their priestly duties. (Of course if you left the Church to be married and ordained, that might come up in investigation and be cause for dispensation to be denied.)

[@secretamericayoutubechanne2961]

Its an outdated med-eival religion. You could achieve the same goal by meditating, practicing kindness, etc.

[@josephjackson1956]

It always seems that God has just enough priests for His Church not only to function, but to thrive

[@DanielGrzywacz-ml3sf]

I think that the outrageous number of sexual assaults commited by clergy has had a great effect in emptying churches and discouraging men from entering the priesthood. Divorcing sexuality from the priesthood and the insistence on celibacy does little to help vocations in a media conscience age. Pope Francis is probably the first pope to address questions of sexual abuse and gay reationships and clergy (all long overdue). Benedict XVI and John Paul II do not strike me as very honest men when the reality of sexual violations by the clergy came to the forefront of Catholic life.

[@georgepenton6023]

Bring the Traditional Latin Mass back and there will be plenty of priests. Seminaries where the Latin Mass is taught have so many vocations that they have to turn candidates away.

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

While that is true, it is also true that the Latin Mass never really went away and yet it represents a very small percentage of Church attendance. It's supports are very strong and very vocal, but also a very small minority compared to those attending mass in the vernacular. I really do not think that this is the answer.

[@deaconbilcarter5210]

If you want the Latin Mass so badly, ask your priest to start celebrating the 1962 Missal. There is no impediment to him doing it. He would only need to be trained.

[@kevinrhatigan5656]

​@@deaconbilcarter5210 Enter "Traditiones Custodes".

[@gridcaster]

I'm honestly much more concerned about the number of faithful in the pews then the number of clergy in the sanctuary. The American Catholic Church is only a generation or two away from losing much of its faithful. Children aren't being evangelized and introduced to the faith the way that the were for a long time. Even people who identify as Catholic seem to increasingly mean something that is anything but universal faith.

[@jaworskij]

I left the Catholic Church in 2014 when the Music became heartless, that is because the former Pope Benedict changed the style of music away from the Catholic folk music of the 1960s and 1970s.

[@melciadsouza8538]

LilZebra. Try going to mass for the liturgy of the eucharist ! That is the most important part of the mass, not the music. Keep your focus on jesus's statue

[@TheFofotron]

@@jaworskij Most people left because of "music" and "reform" from the 60s and 70s. Young people want Tradition, as in Gregorian Chant

[@PadreOSF]

I would be interested in knowing the statistics for clergy in the Traditional Latin Mass churches, and vocations for our brothers in the Orthodox Church. That would give a much better picture to what is going on. Over all this was a very well researched and delivered video. Please pray for me as I prepare this week for subdeacon ordination. PAX.

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

Would that really be reflective of the Church, though? The Latin Mass accounts for a very small minority and does not account for global trends in vocations.

[@PadreOSF]

The Latin Mass community is still part of the Church. So it should have a part in Church numbers. As I know those seminary's are overwhelmed with men in formation, one I know that is under the ICKSP has at least a one year waiting list to even get in, due to not enough space and resource to accommodate the men. When the world is in a state of crisis it seems that more young people are flocking to the more Orthodox/Traditional way of faith. I enjoy your videos and you are in my prayers for your formation and ministry.

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

I would just caution how you use the word "orthodox." Orthodoxy is the teaching of the Second Vatican Council, an ecumenical council of the Church. It spoke dogmatic statements on liturgy and church. The traditional movement can and often is in communion with the teachings of the Church, but it also has a fringe element to it that claims to be orthodox when in fact it is directly disobeying the authority of the Church. Just because something was the law or practice before does not mean that doing it now is correct. Just a word of caution.

[@PadreOSF]

Thank you for the advice. Orthodoxcy should not have a different definition based on a modern view. Unfortunately the Vatican council's can not be considered ecumenical, since there was not a universal voice allowed nor application provided. I am not intending to provoke, just stating church facts from doctrine and law established by true ecumenical council.

[@brianrinz5586]

Some "traditional" people are bad Catholics. Ok. Some mainstreamers are too. Not sure what the point is.

[@burkardhanis]

here in my archdiocese the parishes that are more "high church" liturgically and cling fast to the orthodox faith produce vocations every year....those who are focused on SJW and folk-masses have produce few if none depending on the parish orthodoxy and faithful liturgical practices are the key to vocations

[@jerome96114]

But the roman church DOES already believe that married men can be ordained, it only does not allow it in the west. Don't forget that the eastern & oriental rites which are in communion with Rome DO have a lot of married Clergy, and yet are fully Part of the Roman Church.

[@astrinymris9953]

I'm confused; he seemed to be arguing "There are enough priests!" and "We need to encourage more young men to become priests!" simultaneously.

[@patricksoares6253]

No, he just said that the number of priests is steady, meanwhile the number of catholics is increasing a lot, hence the need for more priests.

[@barndweller4573]

Where do you get ere are more Catholics now than ever? All I know is what I see and hear. Every week are are at Mass and every week it less and less people. Almost no young people and our Parish has a school. We take our Grand Daughter when she is at our house for the weekend and we almost never see any of her class mates. When our children were going to school there, if you did not get to Mass 10 min early you were going to be standing and there were 4 Masses every weekend. Now there are only 3 and most of the time there is not anyone close enough to shake their hand. We now share a Priest with another Parish. I watch Church Militants Vortex every day and that man shows data that within 5 years there will not be must of a Catholic Church left here in the USA, Sad! I know that they did a year long thing asking everyone to bring someone back to Church that has left the Faith. How can we? Its always the same thing about all the scandles, and all our leaders in the Church do anymore is hide problems and lie about them. I just do not know what to do, my Wife and I have looked at other churches but we believe the Catholic Church is the Church Christ founded so we just keep going but we have decided to no longer send any money outside our Parish and our food pantry. we learned that money given was funding Liberal things like ACORN. The Church seems to have stopped being a Church and went full Social Justice instead. Hopefully you and other young men coming in will be in leadership some day and be able to right the ship!

[@clemsonbloke]

Basically left after a few years because of Priests. Most are out for themselves, at least in my area and the majority of people take up for their behavior or excuse it off. It's bad when you want to be counseled by a Priest (was experiencing depression), just talk to them, or for them to hear your confession but they are never available. It was as though my Priest thought that if you were a server (served the altar), that you were excused from regular confession. It just seems that Priests these days are out for fame, notariety, or advancing themselves. OR they have time for their favorites and friends but don't have time for others. I kept getting the excuse "I just don't have time".

[@parishpriest3382]

Thank God for the sane words of this brother! There are far too many prophets of doom assailing us with their negativity, especially around the Second Vatican Council - the Church would now be in a worse position if it had not taken place. Good Pope St John 23rd pray for us!

[@daryla7825]

parish priest the success of the traditional Catholic Church group proves you wrong. The growth of the Church in traditional conservative parts of the world proves you wrong. The decline of the Church in parts of the world that have fully embraced V2 proves you wrong.

[@joegibbskins]

Is there a possibility for maybe creating an order for married men that can carry out vocations not normally done by parish priests?

[@archsword2446]

Only few accepts late vocations.

[@gridcaster]

This is a HUGE part of the problem for vocations in the western world. We live in a society, in the USA for example, where it is now normal for children to not make major life commitments (marriage for example) well into their 30s. Religious life, however, is still largely geared at attracted very young men --- young men in our society are n't ready to make this type of commitment to anything. By the time many of these men realize that they would like to pursue a vocation they have already established themselves in the world and are pushing the maximum age that they can enter religious life. Many communities stop accepting men over the age of 37. There are exceptions, including the FRANCISCANS! It is very very hard, however, for a nearly 40 year old man who has lived as a professional in the world to enter the novitiate...it is an institution of traditions and disciplines (not doctrines) that was designed for very young men, sometimes men that weren't even 18 yet. The Church would attract more of these "late vocations" if it established disciplines that were more welcoming to men at this stage in life.

[@kimfleury]

There's a long tradition of accepting men into secular (diocesan) seminary formation well into their 40s, 50s, even 60s. Father Venerable Nelson Baker is one more famous example, but there are many less well-known priests in their elder years. We have had Senior ("retired") guest priests celebrate Mass for us while our parish priest was away, many of whom had entered the diocesan priesthood late in life, even after formally retiring from a lifelong career in the world. They might not be assigned to regular duties for very long, they might only pastor their own parish for a decade or less, but they are very valuable in filling the needs of parishes while the assigned pastor is on retreat or engaged in other parish business, and they are so JOYFUL!

[@gamers7800]

You had me a little frightened when you brought up married and female priests...this idea is nothing but the evil ones suggestion to undermine Gods church...the only true church.

[@paulmiller3469]

Female priests, no, but a celibate priesthood is practice and not doctrinal. There are Eastern rites, in full communion with Rome (in other words, fully Catholic), that have married priests.

[@seikibrian8641]

@@paulmiller3469 We also have married priests in the Roman Catholic church, too, although they are the exception. Most are Lutherans or Anglicans who have converted.

[@andrewlind3731]

I am 40, divorced, annulled, no kids, and no debt. I had always wanted to get married again....then the pandemic hit. I have been pursuing a Protestant girl close to my age, because I haven't been able to find any single Catholic women over the age of 30 near me. My co-workers have been trying to get me to sign up for Catholic Match, but after the pandemic hit and we didn't have Mass for almost 3 months, I have been considering finding a monastery that does The Latin Mass (looking at The Benedictines right now)

[@sinnottj]

Andrew Lind Really?

[@andrewlind3731]

@@sinnottj I found an order in Oklahoma that has piqued my interest, but they prefer men who are no older than 35

[@georgesmith364]

the fact of the matter is that there is not a drop in Vocations it is that people don't see there Vocations all the time.

[@alieolie3462]

Just to let you know, in a recent bulletin from a church I go to , the priest is retiring. He states that the reason they combined churches is the shortage of priest. This is the head Of the parish. From what I learned maybe the church is flourishing depending on the location such as more conversions in Africa opposed to America but the shortage of priest is real .

[@samuelbcn]

I think that part of the problem is that the Church tends to talk of 'vocations' much more than 'vocation'. For many people 'vocations' are scary. Your 'vocation in life' - not so much. 'Vocations' are off-putting to those not ready to think about becoming a seminarian or a novice. If however Catholics were taught from an early age that we all have a vocation, God's tailor-made plan for our lives, and that this needs to be taken seriously by everyone, then explicit religious vocations are more likely to come about organically when people have matured in faith and character. In my experience vocations retreats can be just like recruitment drives. If I had been helped more generally to reflect and pray about my skills, personality and interests and what God wanted of me more generally my life would have been very different.

[@memememe843]

I like the stats, but Since this was posted in 2017 there have been steady reports that in the US and Europe Catholicism has plummeted. There are also report of diocese in bankruptcy and the closing of beautiful churches in many cities. Is this wrong?

[@kinkycaptioncrafter9940]

I like that he made is case using hard facts.

[@rogerringer7066]

The Franciscans abandoned the Wichita and Dodge City Diocese. All order priests have pulled out. Wichita has a surge of vocations but Dodge City is critical. Why can you not come back?The missionary priests have driven down numbers.

[@treborretsnom6186]

I best understand my calling first 👍

[@Shevock]

I think diocesan priests ought to be able to get married because it's the right thing to do. Also I think unmarried priests are no different than religious. It's a sacrifice priests were never meant to make. Not a requirement to be good at the job.

[@robin-zi2fn]

Franciscan brothers have other cooler dress or only brown only

[@christiandpaul631]

There are some very far Right groups that have claimed that many good priestly candidates left the seminary in the past 30 years because of corruption in the seminaries. They also say that priests in the 70's / 80's were not catechized well and turned away from our traditions and beliefs as old fashioned.

[@NikkiP4444]

Priest to parish ratio is a fallacy. Here they are closing and combining parishes... so fewer number of parishes

[@RobynZatara]

A question that has been on my mind for a while is: why can't Catholic women be ordained in the same way priests can? why can't they administer the sacraments? The explanation I was given was that since Jesus chose males to actively spread the gospel, the Church sticks to tradition, and that if even Mother Mary was not given the mission to spread the gospel in the same way the apostles did, it's because that's not women's mission. With this I'm not saying that all the women who chose to become nuns are unsatisfied with their life choices, but to think that something as earthly as gender is the factor that determines what your aspirations in life can be, does not sound fair. My question is: if all souls are equal, why can't we think that (in this case) a woman could never have a calling for a life not as a nun, but rather as a priest? Aren't we wasting potential thinking like that? Could we be interpreting God's words and actions in a wrong way, even with good intentions? Another question that has been on my mind: why can't homosexual people be admitted in priesthood orders? I don't understand how, with the vow of chastity, any of them could be unfit for religious life, or a "bad influence". What is the "official opinion" of the Catholic Church regarding homosexuality and the vocation to priesthood? Thank you in advance for your time :) RZ

[@paulhurley9475]

Robyn, may I suggest that you can find good coverage of the issues you raise at Catholic.com, which is the website for Catholic Answers, as well as at Calledtocommunion.com.

[@katehillier1027]

The harvest is plentiful but the [LIST DENOMINATION/ monastic/ fraternity friars but the workers are few.

[@antoniomoyal]

Already an Extraordinary Minister of the Holy Communion

[@buffgbob]

It sounds like a graph of (# of vocations)/(# of total Catholics) over time would be instructive. It would be a lot easier to "hone in" when the drop (if there is one) starts to occur. I only found data since 1970: Year Ordinations/Million Catholics 1970 16.80584551 1975 15.83162218 1980 11.74257426 1985 10.19120459 1990 10.68222621 1995 8.902439024 2000 7.378964942 2005 7.00617284 2010 6.99695122 2015 7.562408223 2018 6.788990826

[@Anthony-zx8xq]

Allowing your priests to marry IS the right thing to do! Just another example of Rome changing the faith. The church didn't force celibacy on her clergy until Rome.

[@thomasdonohue1833]

I think many people are spiritually hungry. Life lived soley in the temporal is quite meaningless. I believe Catholics would return to the church in droves if the Latin Mass was more predominant than the boring Novus Ordo Mass. I think many Catholics feel they are no different than the Lutherans. I haven't been to church in 20 yrs. I've been considering going to confession and reconciling myself to the church. I have attended mass at an Orthodox Church and it was beautiful but my heart tells me to remain in the Latin church sans the Latin Mass

[@mattmccracken1768]

When the Anglican Communion started ordaining women, it was very controversial, but now it is fully accepted and has resulted in a healthier, more diverse, and more robust church. I think if and when the Roman Catholic church allows priests to get married, it will find a similar result.

[@DarkAngel-cj6sx]

Anglican church is not catholic

[@sue-by7sh]

There's a decrease of faithful Catholics where I live Bro. and they are closing so many churches more will be leaving. So priest shortage - meh. Need better shepherds.

[@isaiahfootnote8534]

Facts are a great way to counter hysteria.

[@deusx.machinaanime.3072]

Maybe, one should also consider the increase of non-catholic Christian churches around the world.

[@CariBaez]

Vatican II doesn't seems catholic to me anymore. ;-; We need prayers.

[@SFICA9]

From my perspective, it sure seems like the Church is doomed. The vast majority of parishioners I see are elderly with very few 20, 30 and 40 year-olds in attendance. A wave of church closings in the 1990s and then a "collaborative plan" for the remaining parishes years later tells me the laity is shrinking at a significant level. As more and more elderly parishioners die off with few younger people to take their place, I think you will see the Church in America reach a tipping point. On promoting vocations, this was something my pastors did very well over the years but at the expense of the men and women who are called to the sacrament of holy matrimony. The Church does absolutely NOTHING to help those of us who seek a spouse. If promoting vocations does bring in scores of new priests, they may find themselves saying Mass in near-empty churches.

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

SFICA9 sorry to hear that your experience is so bleak. May I ask where you are from? My experience is that some regions of the US are declining while some are growing rapidly. It’s always good to have a wider perspective and realize that even though something may appear a certain way near us doesn’t mean that it is universally true. The Catholic Church is very vibrant in many places around the world and the healthiest it has ever been.

[@SFICA9]

I'm from the Boston area so we have seen the worst of the worst. What regions in America would you say the Catholic Church is growing? I know the Church is more vibrant in other parts of the world as we have had visiting priests and missionaries discuss this very subject at Mass but this doesn't seem to help with my situation over here. Also I have wondered if the large Catholic populations in some parts of the world is due to people there being more obedient and less skeptical. We had a priest from Nigeria talk about how crowded his church was but I found little comfort in that given the country's high levels of intolerance. Our regional bishop has had several town hall style listening tours and he told us when the current crop of old folks pass on, the Church here is in big trouble. When I was in my 20s and 30s, young adults like me were taken for granted and even ignored. Now the Church appears to be playing catch up to attract young people but these efforts have a ring of desperation to them.

[@Anthony-vx6cs]

The Church is most certainly shrinking, but it isn't about numbers per-say... Surprisingly - the parishes and orders that are experiencing ~significant~ growth are the traditional ones (FSSP, ICKSP, SSPX, etc., etc., along with the parishes they serve). There is much evangelization to be done even within the Church; many are forgetting basic Truths about the Mass and Catholic life that are necessary in evangelizing the rest of the nations!

[@michaelperigo6746]

Doesn't address the practice of married clergy among Eastern Catholics and the increasing number of married men (mostly fmr Protestant married clergy who have converted Catholicism).

[@DoloresJNurss]

These discussions always leave out the most important factor of all. Priesthood isn't just a career-choice. Vocations come from GOD. As a woman of color, I see God diversifying the Church by increasing vocations among underrepresented communities and reducing them in overrepresented communities. I don't see this as a bad thing.

[@jpryan865]

Teach the Faith

[@spykezspykez7001]

Father, I appreciate this video. Bit about my background, I’m RC 100% born and bred, like... I am Irish, I live in Ireland. The church is dying here because of lack of priests, I have seen in here. But mostly because a good bulk of the population do not practice anymore. When do we see the local church full? Easter and Christmas. Or when someone dies. Why do you think this is?

[@spykezspykez7001]

I should say I do go to church... even though my views now are probably heresy, I go whenever I can with this virus thing going on now. Wait now and see... after this virus has run it’s course how many people will be left. It’s cut a swathe through the elderly... and guess who the majority attenders are...

[@bucklaw]

What do you think about the closing of churches int the Archdiocese of Chicago while claiming to have a future priest shortage? Also I remember a few years back all priests were asked to find one person to bring forward that might want to be a priest for discernment.

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

It's representative of the arc I mentioned in the video: we have a major boom in the early/middle part of this century but now we can't sustain it. There is not doubt that we do not have enough priests for the number of Catholics today; I'm not saying that there isn't a shortage. What I'm saying is that it is not an indication that something is terribly wrong with the Church or that this is completely abnormal, but much more a regression to the mean than anything.

[@francisbradleyyebes6661]

Bro.Casey may I ask what is your age limit in your religous order ?

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

We don't have a strict upper limit, but because of the length of formation and the low percentage of older men that actually stay, we usually cut it offer in the 40s.

[@francisbradleyyebes6661]

@@BreakingInTheHabit Ok thank you . please pray for me because I am considering to enter Priesthood I am still thinking about it .

[@wiseowl282]

Priest will be leaving. How man? who knows? You day there is an increase? Time will tell. It you are accurate, then my prayers Are being answered. Some say they want to be priest then leave later on. If there is growth good. Turn boys into men and men into future saints. Just don't baby them or give them baby bottles. There's work to be done. I'll be looking in from time to time.

[@archsword2446]

Accept more late vocations too

[@josephryan5949]

I agree. I think of the parable of the workers in the vineyard. Workers who arrived late in the day were treated the same as those who started off at daybreak.

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

That is definitely one response that some, including my province, have looked to, but it is not without its difficulty. We've found that people who enter later often struggle through formation and do not have a high retention rate. There is also the consideration that it costs a lot of time and money to properly train someone, and it may not be worth 6 to 8 years of formation at the age of 60.

[@josephryan5949]

These are all very valid points, Br.Casey, and we may not like it, but value for money is indeed a consideration. People are of course living longer, healthier, more active lives than heretofore. I remember that you made a point in a previous video that, just because it takes 6 to 8 years to full profession, one is not idle in the meantime. A person is in fact serving from the moment you join. Some of our greatest Saints were only in their Orders for a very short time.

[@gridcaster]

It depends what people mean by a late vocation...in some communities late vocation means in the 30s. in some communities they won't accept a postulant after age 37. The Franciscans, as far as i can tell, have actually been one of the more gentle Orders when it comes to being open to late vocations for a good candidate. As for whether "its worth it" to accept someone into a religious community all I can say is that I think there are good men in their mid to late 30s who realize that they would have made good Friars/Brothers/Priests and have a sense of vocation...but feel like it would be very difficult to find a religious community whose novitiate process would fit them.

[@josephryan5949]

I feel that each case should be judged on it's merits. The age factor irks me quite a bit. One can get married at any age. No limits there. My annoyance could be compared to a child's tantrum perhaps. On being told, they cannot have something, then of course, that becomes the one thing they really want. I'm 52, free, single, available. I did offer, and while I was not turned down point blank, neither was I encouraged. There was an age limit of 40 in my case.I actually think Br.Casey's point that,'' people who enter late struggle through formation and do not have a high retention rate'', is pretty accurate and a fair reflection.My point is that we deserve the chance to, ''Come And See''.

[@df6580]

Priest are consider “Alter Christus.” They are God and they can forgive sins.

[@Skibidivm_Latrinae]

What? No!

[@mimibarn]

Bless 'im x

[@kellyblack2010]

Hmm I’d have to disagree about the point about married men and women: I think millennials would be a bit more open to the idea of talking on the role especially if the rules aren’t as strict

[@leoinsf]

The Catholic Church is a church of "exaggeration"! Jesus is all about love, charity, and acceptance, not exaggerated sainthood! The Catholic Church shows its Middle Ages (circa 1500) "face" when it defies logic and extols sanctity (live in a monastery/ nunnery), repetitive prayers (like the rosary) and exaggerated attitudes about ceremony, sacramentals, religious artifacts, and vestments. The shortage of priests is not a new phenomenon! The new Catholic phenomenon is the fact that young Catholics are choosing to stop going to church after they move from the family home. The Catholic Church is now getting its priests from Africa and India, countries that are not contemporary, with people struggling to move out of the poverty situation they are forced to live in by their government. With freedom and education comes self-assurance and with self-assurance, religion is abandoned!

[@velator7492]

There is no vocations shortage, there is a growing number of people willing to answer their vocation.

[@BreakingInTheHabit]

Well, half of what you said it true. There is a growing number of people willing to answer their vocation, but there is still a severe shortage compared to the amount of need in the Church.

[@nueltrespeces919]

do you accept late vocation in Franciscan?

[@peggyreiff5844]

What is the priest and a friar or monk?

[@TheDTCory]

Considering Fr. Cekada's anecdote on his minor seminary days during Vatican II, you argument on Vatican II and the minor seminaries holds no water because most of the minor seminaries closed after Vatican II and because of the changes.

[@katehillier1027]

Ask ye the lord to send labourers into his CATHOLIC harvest field.

[@RedRiverMan]

I love brother Casey but I wish he would have spent more time on why there is only a crisis in te European nations and their former colonies. The AFrican and Asian church has no such problem, having to turn away entrants to religious life men and women. This is not just because of there being a lack of priests before-that was purely because of the white supremacy amongst European "missionaries". Also we can assume that many men ordained deacons would become priests if they could stay married. During world war 2 when lay married men were secrety ordained to minister to people in war times was proof that many married men would want to be priests. I understand te value of celibacy and how it has helpred our church to grow-more than the orthodox but at this time it seems that priests would be more effecrtive if they could choose as our priests did for 1,000 years after the Ascension. Some will always be called to celibacy but even in scripture it was stated that celibacy is a gift and not a requirement. Praying for the day our priests can return to the ancient tradition.