[NYer]

The shortage of priests to serve the 1.1 billion-member Church was perhaps the key issue in the synod, which closes ceremonially with a papal mass on Sunday in St Peter's Square.

One bishop from Honduras drove the point home by saying he had only one priest for every 16,000 Catholics in his diocese.

I hope this bishop takes advantage of the generous offer made by the Bishop from Ghana whose seminary is overflowing with new priests and who wishes to send them 'west' in appreciation for their years of evangelization in Africa.

Reminder - for the more swarthy amongst you. EWTN will be carrying the closing Mass for the Synod and Canonization of 6 new saints, LIVE, beginning at 3:30AM EST. (Check their web site for replay times). I plan to be up with the basset boys :-o

[wagglebee]

It is undeniable fact is that the most energetic and devout priests are emerging from Africa (traditional Protestant denominations are also having the same experience), we should be grateful for this and welcome these men.

On a personal note, of course you will be up at 3:30 AM, because like many FReepers, you haven't been to bed yet at that hour! -:)