At least a guy gets three squares a day in a seminary on a continent where abject poverty is the rule and with little hope for a man with an IQ over 90. Priests don't starve.
The clerical profession's image in some of these countries is beginning to rival the one it held in the US prior to the 70s and will, hopefully, some day recover.
The clerical profession's image in some of these countries is beginning to rival the one it held in the US prior to the 70s and will, hopefully, some day recover.
A thread like this can quickly become depressing. The clerical profession? Priest are Sacraments called to a Divine Vocation to serve God in His Church, the mystical body and bride of Christ, for the salvation of His creatures called to a life of Holiness as adopted sons and daughters in His Son. As long as they "image" Christ correctly, that's all that matters from the perspective of eternity.
You know, others have mentioned the whole Africa/Asia comparison with Europe. I can't help but reflect that the Church originally was Middle Eastern. Europe came later and the Middle East was overrun by Islam. Currently, Europe is essentially throwing her "precious heritage", built on the Gospel of Christ, away. Maybe it is God's plan for the Church to become strong and Holy in the "third world" countries now and re-evangelize Europe (and America) from them. If so, good! Maybe Europe and America are becoming too arrogant and complacent. It is not unlike God to use the weak to correct the strong.
Are souls being saved? That's the only question of any importance. The trends seem to suggest that there are young people hearing a call from God to actively engage the precious and living heritage - Tradition - of God's Holy Church and launch Her to the future. A future of growth collecting God's children into Catholic unity.
I only know several of these priests, one in particular who is in this country because the dictator was out to kill him. He had already lost several brothers to the tender mercies of the dictator's thugs. Very intelligent and tireless in his efforts to keep the French government informed of the effects their support for this dictator is having on the people of his country. Very sad stories of mothers giving up their babies to the river in hopes someone downstream will be able to care for them. While it is probably true there are some becoming priests in Africa because they think it will be an easier life, there are many who become priests and make daily sacrifices we in this country can't even imagine.