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To: conservonator
Doubt it, if anything it will serve as an impetus for an increase in vocations. How many men have resisted the call because of the combined effects of the "pink palace" stigma and Sister Butch the seminary screener?

Perhaps some have. But, in the last ten years, even according to Michael Rose, the seminaries have been largely cleaned up. Seminarians have increased in some dioceses, and they have not in others. But, even in dioceses in which they have increased, they have not increased enough to cover the number of priests who are dying off or retiring (if they even get to retire). Thus the consolidation of parishes in many dioceses.

145 posted on 09/20/2005 10:41:49 AM PDT by sinkspur (It is time for those of us who have much to share with those who have nothing.)
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To: sinkspur
Perhaps some have. But, in the last ten years, even according to Michael Rose, the seminaries have been largely cleaned up. Seminarians have increased in some dioceses, and they have not in others. But, even in dioceses in which they have increased, they have not increased enough to cover the number of priests who are dying off or retiring (if they even get to retire). Thus the consolidation of parishes in many dioceses.

I would say it's probably more than some and it will take a bit of time for prospective seminarians to actually believe that changes have been made. I also another thing that will spur and increase in vocations will be lay lead parishes. I can't imagine a lay lead parish as being anything other than a disaster. Unless the laity of other dioceses is drastically different from ones that I have experience with. There seems to be even less willingness among the lay leaders to cleave to real Church teachings than that of an over worked priest trying to run a parish.

IN my area, consolidation is more a function of a shrinking population and attendance than a priest shortage. In fact, a little over a year ago, a new parish was established here in town. In other areas, churches are being sold off because of financial problems and not due to a shortage of priests.

Either way, I trust the Lord to watch over His Church.

146 posted on 09/20/2005 10:52:13 AM PDT by conservonator (Pray for those suffering)
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