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NYer,

Recently, you posted a story from Rocco about how Mahoney’s diocese just ordained over 50 men to the permanent diaconate, and less than 5 to the transitional diaconate.

Those numbers are simply strange. I don’t know any other word for it. Assuming everything is OK in that diocese—goodness knows that is not the case—but assuming everything is just fine there, those numbers should strike anyone as being off-kilter.

Do you know if anyone has done any statistical breakdowns (number of priests, permanent deacons, seminarians for the presbyterate and for the permanent diaconate) on a diocese by diocese basis?

I wonder, perhaps, if the orthodox dioceses have a much more balanced ratio of those preparing for the priesthood and the permanent diaconate?

That story about the 60 deacons ordained by Cardinal Mahony, of which 56 are married men, should send up red flags at the Vatican! This is a deliberate and intentional move on his part to shift priestly responsibility away from his ordained ministers and into the hands of the deacons. Note too, that he has also 'ordained' several women to run various parishes as Lay Ecclesial Ministers. What a slap in the face of his priests! They are retained to serve only as Sacramental ministers.

Mahony is not alone. We have the same situation here in Albany and you will find it in Rochester and other dioceses around the country.

Do you know if anyone has done any statistical breakdowns (number of priests, permanent deacons, seminarians for the presbyterate and for the permanent diaconate) on a diocese by diocese basis?

I am not aware of anyone who has done such a breakdown. To do one, would be challenging as it entails studying the mindset of the local ordinary to grasp his intentions. The one pattern that emerges in such a process is that Mahony, Hubbard, Clark and their ilk constantly lament the lack of applicants to their seminaries. I personally know of two men who applied and were turned away. These two men were both very orthodox in their views of Catholicism and that put them at loggerheads with the bishop. Besides that, who would want to consecrate their life to Christ when it would mean being 'used' as stricly a sacramental minister, wandering from parish to parish to hear confessions and consecrate enough hosts for their weekend, priestless, communion service.

Keep the faith! All of these bishops have now turned 70 and will reach mandatory retirement age in 5 more years. Over the span of 2000 years, this 40 year period is nothing more than a blip on the radar screen.