Our People

The Shortage of Priests: Wrong and Right Solutions

Congregation for the Clergy International Teleconference Address

By Most Rev. Julian Porteous
Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney
24 November 2004

In many First World countries the issue of the decline in vocations and in the number of priests is one of the principal issues facing the local Church. While it is a reality in many of these dioceses, the issue does need to be kept in perspective. It is a fact, for instance, that the number of seminarians has considerably increased over the period of the pontificate of Pope John Paul II. In 1978 the total number of seminarians worldwide was 63,882. The Pontifical Yearbook 2004, quoting figures from 2002, shows that there were 112,982 seminarians. Following a period of a worldwide decline in the number of priests at the present time numbers of priests are holding constant at around 405,000, with an increase in the number of diocesan priests and a decline in the number of religious priests.

While it is true that some dioceses in First World countries will face extreme shortages in the coming years, it is also true that there are signs of an increase in vocations in some places. It is important to consider the factors behind these increases in vocations.

From my perspective as a Seminary Rector in Australia, I have noted that there are some distinguishing features to the “profile” of current seminarians. They are young men who have grown up in a post-modern world of secular democracy and want to move beyond the clear limits of this experience. They are what I call “post post-modern”. They have a thirst for truth, for firm moral parameters, and they look for clear and strong spiritual leadership. These young men see these elements realized in the person and teaching of the current Holy Father, Pope John Paul II. He is the only pope they have known and he epitomizes their hopes for a strong and clear Catholic faith.

The seminary and academic formation needs to build on this desire for a sound grounding in faith and spirituality. This is a moment of great opportunity. These young men are discerning and they will seek out places where they identify an authentic expression of Catholic priesthood.

It is not the time to plan to “die gracefully”. Some in the church have adopted a fatalistic view of the future and plan for the Church without the service of priests. The Church cannot be its true self without the presence and ministry of priests. The Instruction, Priest, Pastor and Leader of the Parish Community (4th August, 2002), addresses this question:

It would be a fatal mistake to be resigned to present difficulties and act as if we should prepare ourselves for a Church of tomorrow that some imagine as being almost without priests. In this way, the measures adopted to remedy the present scarcity, in spite of all good will would be seriously harmful for the Ecclesial Community. (par 3)

In the First World countries the challenge is to call young men to an authentic expression of the Catholic Priesthood and to have confidence in God’s providential provision for the needs of His Church. As the Instruction says,

Where a priest is lacking one must ask the Lord with faith and insistence to raise up numerous and holy labourers for his harvest. (ibid).