Seminarian enrollment is up 73 percent worldwide from the level in 1978 when John Paul II became pope, according to the Rev. Edward Burns, director of vocations at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. In America, however, enrollment numbers are down about 50 percent over the same period. Key fact bump.
A stat to be filed away and used against the whiners whenever the subject of celibacy and married priests arises.
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.
Amchurch, amongst its many other achievements such as homo priests and liturgical and doctrinal heterodoxy, has also managed to dry up the vocation well.
Great job, guys!
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.