[Mrs. Don-o]

I can't seem to put my hands on the exact statistics now, but I've read that the various dioceses diverge widely in the numbers of seminarians per 10,000 Catholics. The most successful Dioceses attract 2, 5, or 10 times as many seminarians than others, in proportion to their Catholic population.

IIRC, there are even single parishes that have produced more seminarians than some whole dioceses.

Since they all have the same celibacy requirement, it looks like other factors are at work here. I daresay that the dioceses most successful in attracting ordinands, are the ones who offer a strongly clear-cut fidelity to the teachings of the Church, loyalty to the Pope, and a highly "defined" role for its priests (without the blurred lines of a laicized clergy and clericalized laity.)

If any FReepers can help me find these comparative diocesan statistics, I'd be much obliged.

[wagglebee]

IIRC, Anglican monks and nuns still take vows of celibacy.

[vladimir998]

Mrs. Don-o,

You are right. There are some parishes that produce more vocations than entire dioceses these days. Lincoln, Nebraska has two full seminaries ! I remember ten years ago when Arlington Virginia (a new diocese then) was ordaining more people than Los Angeles!!!