The Shocking Decline in The Amount of Catholic Priests | The Catholic Talk Show

[@lauracook7608]

My diocese, when Bishop Strickland was in charge, had 21 seminarians. That was more than the entire country of Germany had. I am so proud that my son is among those fine young men.

[@casadechris923]

Keeping him in my prayers, let’s see if some wacky is not sent there that discourages vocations since the are “too rigid”

[@mariaovalle72]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@lauracook7608]

@@casadechris923 yes please pray we get a normal bishop! Thank you for your prayers for Patrick.

[@casadechris923]

@@lauracook7608 “normal” well with some American cardinals sitting on the congregation for bishops -bishop selection committees-i really worry about those things.

[@timc5843]

Great show, Fr. Matt is a good man. I think having a good role model like Fr. Matt and Fr. Rich goes a long way to get young men thinking about the priesthood. I pray every day for all priest, they need prayers. God bless you, boys.

[@martylund8411]

People like to blame parents and poor catechism, but I think there is also a huge pile of blame at the feat of the bishops and dicastry for the clergy. Putting predators and fops in charge of seminarians, driving out orthodox priests, giving prominent roles to the usual suspects who wind up outed on Grindr. It's scandalous and vile. As a parent, I'm fearful of the idea of my sons being abused at seminary, or being crushed by the burdens of obedience to a monster like McCarrick or goons like the bishops that ran cover for him.

[@katdunn7934]

If your sons know what to look for and how to protect themselves, hopefilly there should not be a problem. It's been said that more seminarians are traditional leaning. Maybe too, all this exposure of corruption and abuse has put people on high alert and has also helped chase away the goons. I'm hoping there are a lot less corrupt clergy, that they are being sifted out. I have a 23 year old nephew who is discerning the priesthood. He's been interested since he was little. Now he knows about abuses, knows right from wrong and the terrible sin those abusers have committed. I'm praying for more strong priests.

[@TheJmlew11]

As someone who has spent 5 years in the seminary I can admit that from my experience and talking with men at different seminaries, that any systemic sexual abuse or groups are gone. That said you are absolutely right with many bishops going after more traditional men.

[@tjpetrucce8156]

Amen

[@mosesking2923]

@@katdunn7934 hoping doesn’t do anything. It’s easy if your nephew is in his 20’s and has plenty of options. Once you hit age 50 as a priest with no other backup career options, and without the benefits of parents to help you financially, you are basically locked in for life. No wonder priests feel hopeless at times. A bad bishop can always show up.

[@katdunn7934]

@mosesking2923 it's not easy for him. We are a family with too many financial struggles and it'll be years before getting into a seminary. He'll be trying for scholarships. He's working several jobs already. Yeah, older ones, it is hard for I agree. Many are smart and educated and actually can get jobs though. If they want it they can learn something new. They could even become teachers. They have master's degrees and many years of education. BTW, not all youth have parents to help them. And I disagree with you, I believe there is always hope.

[@PhillipsTraining]

No shortage of priests in the traditional seminaries

[@MandoE-r8d]

Exactly. For the seminarians I know in the diocese of St. Augustine who discerned out, it was because of the lack of the traditional mass. It's also what has kept me from going full swing into St. John Vianney college seminary in Miami

[@iamterico]

Not to mention Traditional Abbey Our Lady of Clear Creek is bursting with monastic vocations

[@NoelOco]

From my experience of meeting people in the parishes who earnestly pray for more vocation to the priesthood and religious life are only praying for other people's children and not for their own children or grandchildren because they have their own ambition for their own children i.e. doctors, lawyers, engineers, nurses, teachers, etc.

[@juanlongoria7543]

When. did you receive this inside information on priests’ private thoughts?

[@jeannebouwman1970]

God uses prayers in ways that we might not intend, if one's children have a disposition to be a priest the most important thing is a good Catholic upbringing, God will call who he needs

[@joane24]

Yes. Also it feels like they want 'others' to live ascetic life but they don't think it would consider themselves. What I mean by that, some people (married with family) are very quick to demand strictness and austerity from the religious, even in simple things such as clothing ('how dare the nuns not wear habits?!' etc.), but they themselves don't think how _they_ should practice of dying to self in their close relationships... They demand the sacrifice of others, often without remembering that _each_ vocation is about learning the sacrificial love.

[@Horse-Feathers]

A little over a year ago, my son told me he was considering becoming a religious. I admit I did feel surprised at first, and the thought of "what about marriage and children?" did cross my mind. But I quickly resigned and brought myself back to "Thy will be done" and relized how pleasing and honoring it would actually be as a mother for my eldest to devote his life to God. At the time, my youngest had passed, so now it would appear that it was a desperate longing on the part of my eldest, rather than a true calling, since he has stronger interests now. Puberty also hit him like a ton of bricks which has left him conflicted and confused. He's still young and faithful though. What so ever the Lord chooses for him, I will rejoice. Please, pray for him.

[@joane24]

@Horse-Feathers Entrust him to Our Lady. He needs prayer indeed, but especially mother's prayer - yours as well as our heavenly mother. Mother's prayer is more efficacious than stranger's.

[@KathyMcClernan]

I believe in prayer. I feel we are giving up, too easily. My prayers are for the Priests, those discerning the Priesthood and also the Religious Life. I am hoping, from the Eucharistic Congress, we will have more becoming Priests and Nuns. Thank you! God Bless!

[@lauracook7608]

Your point of having priests around is so true. My son is in his 3rd year of seminary and he was raised around our best friend, Fr. Anthony McLaughlin. All my boys grew up being altar boys and saw that priests are normal people. I remember when Fr. McLaughlin invited all the kids in the parish to tour his new home. He showed them the frozen pizzas and chicken nuggets in is freezer and his Star Wars action figures from when he was a kid. He talked to them about growing up in Ireland; he was a real person and not 'The Priest'. I am sure it made a difference in Patrick's life. He was 1 semester away from becoming an electrical engineer when he left to join the seminary.

[@Nonnie5-ik1ct]

I love in East Tennessee and our Pastor is 66 and has 3 parishes driving great distances. He had his first vacation in 4 years, mostly we don't have enough priests and those we have don't want the hard duty. Pray for our priests.

[@ufoundwaldo5995]

Another great episode!!! Thank you for all the men who are stepping up to serve in these wild times and a special thank you to the great priests like Fr Matt who are stepping up to help out with the Catholic Talk Show in Fr Rich's absence (who we miss) Praying for Jen and y'all Ryan D!!!!

[@Shenanirats]

Back in 2011 I was at WYD Madrid, and there was an American Bishop [may have even been cardinal], I can't remember his name or where he was from, but I clearly remember him saying it wasn't the priesthood in danger, it was the vocation of marriage! He mad the points you fine fellows made, that people are having smaller families, so when you have one or two kids, you don't want them going off to be religious. It was a big eye-opener for me, because I always just used to think "oh yeah, the religious vocations/priesthood is in dire straits". I never considered it as being a flow on from the attack on marriage. It's especially noticable where I am, in New Zealand. With that said, the young guys coming up through the very solid, large Catholic families, are on fire for the Lord and open to his plans for their lives - especially when there's a vocational call. Anyway, please pray for New Zealand, we're living under quite a demonic cloak that too many happily ignore.

[@dee2251]

I agree. In the UK the abortion laws have also become more lax over time, yet we now have politicians telling us we need more immigration to combat the fact that we’re having far fewer children, yet these same politicians push abortion under the guise of feminism and choice, but society has in my lifetime, gone from being a traditional family where the husband was the breadwinner and the wife stayed at home and brought up the children. Now it’s impossible to buy a house on one wage so woman have to go out to work. This leads to smaller families, as does couples not getting married or being able to afford to get married and buy a house. Their priorities have also changed to wanting it all and leading lifestyles where they put themselves first. In the UK the demand for housing is at crisis point. Mass immigration pushed up house prices out of the reach of young couples. It’s very complex what’s led to the decline in births and subsequently vocations. Countries like India are still very devout and have more entering the priesthood.

[@joane24]

It's not just about big families, but family living out and raising in Christian values. It's very hard to pursue a religious vocation if one's relationship with the Church/teaching of the Church is weakened, due to coming from a broken family, e.g. non married, or divorced, or re-married or other irregular situations.These irregular family situations put a sort of a wedge between the person and the Church - it's very hard for a child to reconcile that they're loving their parents and the parents love them, AND that they're wrong according to the teaching of the Church. Many people will be distanced from the Church because of that, at least until they mature enough, but it comes with age and emotional maturity. Also, many people not being brought up in faith based families, and they learn to deepen their faith only as adults, which understandably also shifts the time when the vocation could be pursuit, that's why there's now relatively lot of late vocations, 30+, 35+ plus.

[@katewheeler9158]

One of the boys in my religious ed class casually told me he is contemplating the priesthood. We were at a parish function and he was placing raffle tickets in the container for the religious basket, which he really wanted to win because he loved the crucifix in it. We got to chatting and I asked him if he had an interest in the priesthood because frankly its unusual for an 11 year old to be taking tickets for the religion basket when the PS5 basket is right next to it and he simply replied yeah, I really like it and I want to do it. Is it too early for an 11 year old to discern?? I went to our parish priest right after the event and made him aware as this boy is already an alter server and known to him. Gotta tell you I felt the Holy Spirit move in that casual moment, It was really powerful

[@richroj]

Thanks!

[@warrenphilips8441]

As a priest it has been a challenge to build a culture of vocations in the parish. I talk about vocations regularly. I try to model what it means to be a priest. We pray and pass a chalice from one family to another during Mass for that family to pray for vocations in the following week. We just don't seem to be getting any traction. Few things disturb me more than a family that discourages vocations. I mean, what right do you have to draw from the sacraments that you are refusing to God's church, like picking an apple and chopping down the tree.

[@janetplonka8110]

God bless you Fr.

[@Jackie-ow9pt]

Hi Ryan, Ryan, and Father Matt. Greetings from NH. Great show, tough topic. Our kids are inundated with garbage. They get it in school (public and parochial), from TV, not to mention that half come from broken homes. I think many young men are called but are unable to hear the call. I have no answers, I will leave that to you.

[@ChildofGod98765]

Lord Jesus I keep faith even as I struggle as a single mother. I know you will provide for us. Both of my sons have special needs. They require so much from me. Lord Jesus give me strength as I struggle providing the basic necessities like clothing and groceries. Lord Jesus please continue to carry me through this difficult time help me provide for my children. Amen.💕

[@peacemakers6316]

Lord give us good priests, Lord give us many many many priests. amen.

[@janetplonka8110]

Amen!!!!

[@janetplonka8110]

Thank you all for this great podcast discussion!! A friend sent to me & I’m forwarding to our ClergySupport !

[@carolpetro3267]

The Marians of the Immaculate Conception in Stockbridge MA has 27 men in seminary in Steubenville OH. The Marians of the immaculate Conception are building a new Monastery in Stockbridge MA. Father Chris Alar said the men in Steubenville, OH is the largest in their 350 year history. I pray for them. Please keep them in your prayers.

[@jacquelynwathen8676]

Great show

[@miltronix]

(Rev. Dr.) Donald Cozzens, then Rector of the Cleveland major seminary, wrote "The changing face of the priesthood" which gives many valuable insights, both positive and negative. WELL worth reading.

[@davidbauer1624]

I read that book years ago when it came out. A very thoughtful and honest assessment of the Priesthood.

[@ElsaBorzoi]

I had a nap with my dog and now it is popcorn time! Seriously I have heard of this and it is very sad.

[@georgem9242]

Bringing back in all parishes the TLM will attract more vocations.

[@JerryBiese]

I appreciated this video. I believe you could have enhanced information at the end of the talk show when Father mentioned the value of praying. The Serra International Ministry should have been mentioned as a movement that exists to pray and support for all vocations. Then you mentioned that debt if a barrier to vocations. Here again, the Laboure' Society should have been mentioned that their mission is to help men and women to share their need and contributions are made to Laboure' to assist individuals to eliminate their student debt and they can enter religious life.

[@Hagood2011]

We're in Mission Territory in Nebraska. I've planted three Churches in this state already and there are plans for more. The harvest is plentiful, but the Laborers are few. Like Jesus reminds us, let us pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send us more Laborers.

[@carolynkimberly4021]

Have your Bishop invite in the FSSP. You will have a parish filled with young couples and babies and holy priests.

[@kirk.taylor1866]

@@carolynkimberly4021Nebraska has the FSSP

[@monicamohan4720]

Vocations, congregations and families are growing in the TLM communities. That is what young men want... Tradition.

[@martylund8411]

The elephant in the room is how you are playing Russian Roulette with Bishops these days. One day you have superior like +Strickland, and the next day, you have someone who cheerleads for Fr. James Martin, SJ. I've seen good priests crushed utterly by obedience to bad bishops.

[@suzannelove5147]

Bergolio as a Marxists is not doing the papacy any favors.

[@susygenevieve]

Our parish just combined with another parish this summer and we have to share a priest. He goes back and forth every other weekend to say mass, and on the off weekends we have a different priest. It's been really sad. We're now losing a mass time on Sunday mornings for both parishes, and they claimed it's due to low attendance but we have about 2/3 of our church full or more during mass. 😢

[@carolynkimberly4021]

Everything fell apart with the NO Mass. It denigrated the priesthood, putting him on the same level as the laity. He is only a "Presider" over the "assembly", not the priest who offers the Sacrifice of the Mass in the Person of Christ.

[@susanbriwn7702]

When I was younger our church had 2 priests. Now there is 1 priest and he is shared at 3 churches. I'm in England. It's so sad. Congregations are on the decline too.

[@ChristopherSterwerf]

I'm 3/4s of the way through the show and I have yet to hear the 2 biggest reasons why there is a priest shortage. They are the 2 biggest elephants in the room and they haven't been discussed yet. I bet anyone who reads this comment will know exactly what I am referring to.

[@martylund8411]

My guess: homosexuals and heretics in charge of seminary and diocese?

[@mariasilvers9298]

Broken trust and preferential option for the institution rather than the poor and vulnerable….all made clear by a continuing refusal to be transparent in their handling of the many crises plaguing her credibility.

[@patrickbukamp6198]

I'm writing this from Austria, Europe. One more point for the lack of priests is the fact that bishops don't want priests. Lay pastoral assistances are in much greater favour to them, than ordained ministers. It is not expected of the priest to act sacerdotally. Priests are supposed to be entertainers. All they have studied and learned is to be forgotten by them they day they get ordained. I could write volumes about the awful situation priests are going thru. If a young man came to me telling me he was concerning a vocation to the priesthood, I don't know if I could recommend him to follow that call. Grown up men don't want to deal with this kind of superficiality and stupidity. One doesn't want to go thru 6 to 7 years at training and studies, to be treated without trust and confidence from above. No priests wants to play kindergarten for First Communion, and never see the kids and parents again. Priests in our place are not supposed to lead people on the way of salvation. Salvation is not a term a priest can utter because everybody is going to be saved regardless his / her deeds. Prayer, piety, catholicity have no place in ministry.

[@throwed210SATX]

St. Padre Pio, St. Benedict, St. Jude Tadeo, pray for the Holy Catholic Church 💜📿✝️🧎🏻‍♂️

[@candacebailey7357]

Lots of priest vocation stories say it was a grandmother or a priest or teacher that first got them thinking about priesthood by saying “you’d make a good priest “.

[@revelation20232]

This is what has happened to me. I have thought about the priesthood but I didn't mention it to anyone. Then my RCIA teacher out of the blue asked me if I had considered the priesthood. I was also recommended directly to our bishop as a potential candidate for the priesthood. I was invited by the bishop to a retreat regarding discernment soon. Exciting but also worrying for me because i'm not sure I can live up to the standard set by the priests I admire. I know morally I have no hang-ups but I worry about things like not being a great public speaker

[@noahm1655]

I think it's also very important to discuss the number of Vocations that are blocked because of student loan debt. Everyone is told to go to college by default, and then if they discern God is calling them to the priesthood or religious life, they aren't able to join for years at best (even if they work a high paying job) and might never be able to join at worst. My own Vocation is one of these. Thankfully, groups like the Labouré Society exist, but they need help and people don't know about them either!

[@revelation20232]

I am discerning the priesthood. I was told by a well-known priest/author, that many of you would know of, to join the FSSP, ICKSP, or even the SSPX because the novus ordo side of the Church including the seminaries are hostile to any traditionally minded Catholic. He said Catholics who hold to the Church's teaching on certain issues are persecuted internally. He said there is a real war happening in the Church & he told me to seriously think this over and make sure i'm prepared for it if I go the novus ordo route. I think we all know this is true but it's scary to hear it from a priest especially how serious and how much he stressed this issue to me.

[@iamterico]

The Arlington Diocese is thriving with Priestly vocations. They come out solid! Whatever they are doing is working. It’s probably the Seminaries they use. St Charles Borromeo and Mount St Mary are 2 they send their Seminarians.

[@robiplay9409]

Every person need family and children.

[@harrydonahue1657]

Spent 8 years in the seminary back in the 60s. Why all the desire today for Latin Mass? I don't get it.

[@StevePerow]

When I became catholic, I felt a calling to be a deacon...although I was dissuaded from my RCIA director that I have two little kids and it may not be a good time.

[@janetplonka8110]

Good advice. Raise your small children to love Jesus, Mary, the mother God & the most holy Eucharist & Adoration etc The domestic church is where you need to be a strong & faithful Catholic Dad! Attend a TLM & bring your young family

[@carolynkimberly4021]

Altar boys were our future priests. So the New Order Mass destroyed that. Good going Paul Vl

[@leylinegoddess]

unfortunately during that active time of altar boys was the most active time of young men being abused by the priests. the switch to adults as concelebrants, probably helped to open the mouths of the abused and it started to slow down with the revelations.

[@suzannelove5147]

John Paul 2 undermined the change from Alter boys to alter servers and allowed girls. This undermined the purpose to get young boys closer to the alter to understand the grace of being at the foot of the cross.

[@OWL-hg6ix]

In germany we have the same problem. My Priest told me that in 2023 only 7catholic Priest were appointed. I myself am thinking about becomming a Priest but I have to have worked for a few years in a regulqr job or I have to go to school again to later study theology

[@A-ARonYeager]

If you feel a calling don't ignore it. Just because it's hard doesn't mean it's not worth it brother

[@jmw19-66]

There isn't a priest shortage. Many excellent priests have been canceled because they actually teach the Catholic faith. In the Traditional Latin Mass communities vocations are booming.

[@sirtfs]

I am Episcopalian, our new rector is a former RC priest. He wanted to marry.

[@valwhelan3533]

Our priests these days are coming from African and India and places where the church is actually growing fast.

[@eisuszaid-serolf261]

Hi guys, hope you all are doing great during the preparation of our Lord's birth. How Fr. Rich? I hope he is doing well

[@debbiegraham5585]

VA has cluster parishes... Our Diocese of St. Petersburg Fl has 85 parishes under their umbrella ...

[@markjohnson1520]

The Laboure Society help w/ seminarian student debt -- there's also the Fund for Vocations

[@DadInFastForward]

The US population fertility rate is 1.7. We need to be at 2.1 to just break even. A priest shortage is a result of our shrinking population. People are not having enough children.

[@leylinegoddess]

this planet has a carrying capacity of 11 billion. we are at almost 9 billion. having spare children to send them off to the seminary is bad reason for family. we need more priests, and allow them families., but do not encourage heavy population growth because the earth will not be able to feed and house without serious consequences. ie collapse of the ecosystems by destruction for over development. so teach that and teach humans to honor the earth. and stop worrying about having grandchildren. love your neighbors, adopt spare kids who need homes.

[@maryannebartolo]

God bless Priests 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@francikoen]

Not all priests deserve to be reverenced. McCarrisck did not deserve reverence.

[@leylinegoddess]

the month/year i went to europe the bishop of barcelona left the priesthood to marry his lady friend who had just given him a set of twins. not so much later a bishop in france left to marry and several of his diocesan priests followed him into marriage. . what story does this tell?

[@tmartin-wong8602]

No self-contorl sexually. No respect for purity, celibacy, chastity, and virgnity. Unwilling to sacrifice orgasms and sexual pleasure for God.

[@casadechris923]

Actually he was the bushel of Solsona not the cardinal archbishop or one of his auxiliaries. Actually he was young at times was a semi transitional guy. He actually didn’t like female servers and had issues with lay involvement with parishes. Then he married an erotic book author and has twins now.

[@synanthony]

Love the beards.

[@andrewrolwes6034]

Parishes grounded in and built around the old Mass attract young people who eventually have large families. These large families then produce abundant vocations. The wonderful SSPX chapel I am fortunate to attend printed a list of vocations to the priesthood and relogious life from that chapel in its bulletin, as reference for parishioners to include in their prayers. They had to suspend printing it because it ended up taking too much space in the bulletin. This same chapel is now out of space and has initiated the planning process to build a new, much larger chapel a few miles away. This sort of vocational abundance could be the mainstream church's if its churchmen were willing to reconsider many of the fundamental assumptions that the post Vatican II-diocesan model is built on.

[@kinderz91]

A video that talk about movies that catholic should avoid (The Last Temptation of Christ, etc)

[@leylinegoddess]

you should read the book by nikos kazanzakis. the theme of the last temptation was that jesus was tempted away from his calling as savior. and so the book traced the what if...... in the end what you missed is that jesus did understand what his calling was to die and create salvation for people and he was rejoicing in the end that it was accomplished. . the struggle of vocation is real. this book was an analysis of the struggle of understanding the calling. in the end, to accept the calling is a triumphant ending. you haven''t read the book.

[@jasonkelsey3441]

Speaking as a former protestant pastor, I would be a priest if it was an option open to me. Not advocating for changes to priest hood (celibacy ect.), just saying there are those like me that could help. I am pursuing the diaconate but this is a 4-5 year process in my area. Even then the deacon role is typically not paid, voluntary and often part time. Trying to help my parish as I can but I must be bi-vocational to pay the bills so my time and attention are split. Maybe the church could explore non-ordained pastoral care paid roles.

[@skn9895]

The number of priests and vocations has declined ever since Vatican 2. Coincidence? I think not. But believe whatever you want. The TLM community is growing and thriving.

[@PrometheanJosh96]

A good idea. How about the Catholic church? Just make the Latin Mass the only Rite for the Roman Rite

[@georgeel-vp7sk]

I see several recent videos saying ordinations are on the rise in the US, and also several protestant videos discussing why their most educated theologians are becoming catholic. Keep praying, but dare I hope the catholic Renaissance is underway? Edit: by the way, when I inquired about becoming a deacon, I got the answer that I was 61 years old and the cutoff is 60. Hey, worried about my health? At least call me in and do something..take my pulse! The church has a PR problem, not an issue with too few people being interested.

[@Traderbear]

Number of priests please. 🙏 God Bless all of you

[@davidgallegos4771]

I'm feeling like I may be called to the priesthood, but i'm not sure if it would even work out for me. Im 23, married, and unfortunately, I have visible tattoos on my hands. I don't even think they would consider me for seminary

[@triciaplass8766]

If you are married, you wouldn't be able to become a Priest in the Latin Rite. You could become a Deacon! Talk to your Parish Priest.

[@michaelottesen6143]

You cannot be married and be a priest because you have to make a vow of celibacy

[@davidgallegos4771]

@michaelottesen6143 thank you

[@georgem9242]

First is finding good seminary.

[@zanecote]

If Priests were Allowed to get married I would become a Priest Myself. I heard that Catholic Priests not getting married in the Catholic Church is a Discipline and not an actual Law but the Bishops, and Pope refuse to Allow Priests to get Married. Instead I am discerning becoming a Deacon because they can have a Wife and Children. 🎉

[@triciaplass8766]

You can only be a married Deacon if you are already married before you begin the journey to becoming a Deacon.

[@zanecote]

@ I know. I’ve been researching it for a year now.

[@susan319]

same goes for women. I would have been a good nun, but I was never told anything about nuns.

[@megzzy]

The subject of not wanting to "lifelong commit" I wonder if that societal change in the United States has increased with the increase of ADHD in the USA. Curious if there's a connection.

[@javileezk]

Id like to make myself believe,That planet earth turns slowly

[@carolynkimberly4021]

Bishop Strickland's diocese eas booming with people even moving there to be with him. So, of course, Francis cancelled him.

[@WandaKing-m6d]

Well ppl talking horrible about priest is probably part of the problem

[@JulieDevonshire]

I listen to parishioners after mass. Most is focused on Sally and her cheerleading or Jimmy made golf jr spot. No one speaking regarding church. Mostly bragging. Parish priest. Whom is fantastic. Has to bend to his parishioners. Those writing the check. It's sad. The church. Has become a political , financial pawn.

[@rampartranger7749]

Let priests marry. Why did celibacy creep into the church anyway? Not everyone is a St.Paul. In this sex-soaked culture, marriage is a PROTECTION for men as well as everyone else. Yes he has a family to support, and therefore more expensive, but worth thinking about, there are lots of good reasons.

[@humbirdms2784]

I feel God calling me to the priesthood but I'm married. I still want to be apart of a vocation

[@Gunfighter95]

You can be an ordained priest with orthodoxy or a pastor as a protestant, but not catholicism, sorry :(

[@ashleynovels]

Marriage is a vocation

[@DadInFastForward]

Marriage is a vocation. Fatherhood is a vocation. You are the head of your domestic church. Now fill it with lots of kids. :)

[@leylinegoddess]

@@Gunfighter95 or eastern catholic. or be a deacon.

[@suzannelove5147]

Be a deacon

[@kirk.taylor1866]

Talk orders are exploding in vocations

[@tophat2115]

Families used to have many children and one would be dedicated to God, maybe it's time to do that again. A social worker makes about 100k/year, maybe upping the wage?

[@paulmurray3671]

Celibacy is not popular today, or respected as it once was.

[@jdub3999]

Priests being celibate is a discipline, the rule could change. I’m not sure it would drastically make a change but is it worth considering? Our Eastern Brothers, that are in communion with Rome, have married Priests and seem to function with reverence and pastoral care. Thank God for so many Priests coming from Kenya, Nigeria and Vietnam filling the void in the US.

[@suzannelove5147]

No change to celibacy. The reason are valid to retain.

[@valwhelan3533]

In my diocese in Canada most of our new priests are coming from Africa and India. I hear that in certain African countries there are more applicants to the priesthood than there are spaces in seminaries.

[@robiplay9409]

It make big change, in Ukraine priests are married and have many children, with time their children get married and grandchildren get married, so it create big Christian community connected by church and common ancestors.

[@tmartin-wong8602]

Barely any money in the baskets as is. How is your congregation going to pay for you, your wife, and your kids??? You would need a second or third job.

[@Marsalis_CW]

Lift the disciplinary ban on only single men being priests. Open the priesthood to married men. It won't fix the problem, but it will help, and it could increase the quality of the priesthood overall, and build a more in depth Catholic community. Before the Gregorian reforms, this was the case, and the East has never barred married men from the clergy. I would completely drop my secular life and activities, my career... everything... and pursue serving the Church as a priest if this ban was lifted.

[@RealMJSr]

This!

[@lauracook7608]

I don't agree, sorry. My son is in his 3rd year at seminary. He looks at it as dedicating his entire life to Christ and the faithful. He feels like if he had a wife and family his attention and time would be split and one or the other would suffer because of it. Another stumbling block is the vow of poverty. Priests do not own the homes they live in and are moved frequently. What if he had a wife and family and he died? Who would take care of his loved ones? It's all well and good to say, "let priests marry", but it's much more complicated. I am married to a wonderful man who was in seminary for several years. We met and he left seminary. He knows, after 5 children and 36 years of marriage, that God steered him in the right direction.

[@Marsalis_CW]

@@lauracook7608 @lauracook7608 I completely respect your opinion. However, marries priests was a reality for the entire first millenium of the Church. Also, every other Rite besides the Roman Rite ordains married men. I am not saying allow priests to be married, I am saying allow married men to be ordained. Marriage and ordination are not in conflict with each other, the West seems to be the only ones who struggle to deal with this, even though a married priest could bring such a value to communities. And no, being a priest will not neglect your wife. I work 60 hours a week and still have plenty of time for my family. Do you think God sees an opposition to married priests? Obviously He doesn't. There is no theological ground to oppose it.

[@Marsalis_CW]

@lauracook7608 If I were to die right now, who would look after my wife? And how would that be any different if I were a priest?

[@lauracook7608]

@@Marsalis_CW Hopefully you have life insurance, own a house or property, have a 401K, etc. Priests have nothing. Even their vehicles are owned by the diocese.

[@leoinsf]

Catholicism: the "bury yourself in a pew on Sundays" religion is being reevaluated by the young people of the world. They refuse to go to church once they leave the family nest! "Earn heaven" is the premise of religion and you have Catholics running to church on Sundays thinking Jesus was all about earning heaven and ceremony. Jesus loved the publican, not the pharisee! Jesus was about people, not ceremony. Catholicism is now a bible religion, not a Jesus religion. Where is Jesus in your religion???

[@randall5306]

What a stupid intro! Is all that nonsense really necessary! Thumbs down

[@CatholicTalkShow]

🙄

[@God_my_Savior]

Why so rude? And angry?

[@sethn1094]

Sensus Fidelium is down the hall to the left

[@oliveri9407]

Maybe be more traditional and respectful to the faith and not wishy washy liberal in the faith