[Antoninus]

It should also be said, that within America, the numbers vary widely. In the neighboring diocese of Atlanta and in this one (Savannah), priestly ordinations and seminary enrollments are doing very well (although Gregory's arrival in Atlanta may soon put that in reverse), while in other dioceses, the numbers of priestly ordinations is a figure not unadjacent to zero.

The diocese of Arlington, Virginia is perhaps THE best example of the difference between having a good, orthodox bishop and an AmChurcher. Under Bishop Keating, a fantastic ortodox bishop, Arlington was a vocations powerhouse. After Bishop Keating's death (may God rest his soul), the diocese was given over to Bishop Loverde--a more "progressive" bishop, and subsequently, vocations have fallen off a cliff. Why? Well, this snippet from the Roman Catholic Faithful website may shed some light on it:

At the present time, it appears that most of the homosexual priests in the diocese are older priests, including a significant number of pastors. This is because priestly formation in recent years has been under the direction of Fr. James Gould, a good priest and good judge of character. RCF has learned that Fr. Gould and former Bishop Keating had a wise policy of not allowing homosexuals into the priesthood. As a result, the Catholics in the Arlington diocese are blessed with many excellent young priests. Regrettably, that policy appears to have been discontinued by Bishop Loverde.

After Loverde became bishop of Arlington, the diocese received an application for the priesthood from a man who admitted to having been in a same-sex relationship for 10 years. Fr. Gould recommended against accepting the man into the seminary program. Fr. Gould was overruled by Bishop Loverde. Subsequently, Fr. Gould was removed from his position of Vocations Director.

Bishop Loverde’s background gives other reasons to be concerned about his policy regarding homosexuals and the priesthood. While a bishop in Connecticut, Loverde supported the notorious homosexual ‘civil rights’ bill that became law in Connecticut in 1991. Loverde supported the legislation even though it not only forbade discrimination based on sexual orientation, but also allowed homosexuals to adopt children and to act as foster parents of young children. The law also permits the state to impose quotas for homosexuals on employers.

I pray to Almighty God that our next Pope will take no prisoners when it comes to expunging those with homosexual tendencies from the priesthood.

[american colleen]

Thank you for the info.

What has become of Fr. Gould? I used to see him on EWTN but he hasn't been around lately. He's a straight shooter and I appreciated his candor and simplicity.

All the wailing and gnashing of teeth regarding declining vocations is empty until someone with influence does a diocese to diocese study and puts out the FACT that orthodox bishops produce many more vocations than do unorthodox ones. Your illustration of Arlington is the perfect example - and there are other dioceses that mirror the same thing.

[marshmallow]

I have a feeling that Atlanta may go the same way, as I mentioned in passing. Archbishop Donoghue, a good, sound pastor who did a great job of fostering vocations in the Atlanta Archdiocese has now retired and been replaced with one of Bernardin's proteges, Wilton Gregory, former USCCB frontman.

If Gregory does nothing in Atlanta he will have done the Church a great service.

[NYer]

Bishop Loverde’s background gives other reasons to be concerned about his policy regarding homosexuals and the priesthood.

Member in good standing of the same club as Hubbard and Clark. They are Jadot's appointments. With time the old guard will disappear and the new one will proudly step into position. I hope to see this in my lifetime.

[dsc]

"After Loverde became bishop of Arlington, the diocese received an application for the priesthood from a man who admitted to having been in a same-sex relationship for 10 years. Fr. Gould recommended against accepting the man into the seminary program. Fr. Gould was overruled by Bishop Loverde. Subsequently, Fr. Gould was removed from his position of Vocations Director."

How long, oh Lord, how long?

I've only been to Mass once in Arlington. It was an early-morning "old people's" Mass. What I remember most is that a deacon gave a very mediocre homily, then congratulated himself audibly with a, "Now *that* was moving."

No, deacon, it wasn't.