[NYer]

Some 11 men - a large number by recent standards

A good sign in an especially troubled diocese like Boston.

[NYer]

Anyone else have statistics from their respective diocese?

[Maximilian]

This article confirms what was discussed on another recent thread. All of the supposed "good news" about slightly larger seminary classes cannot cover up the fact that the priesthood is facing demographic wipeout. A large cohort of priests is facing the end of the road. A newly-ordained priest who was 30 in 1962 is now 71. There is a 40-year gap in which there were hardly any new vocations but massive defections of existing priests. Seeing the number of annual ordinations rise from 5 to 8 in an enormous diocese like Los Angeles or Boston cannot do anything to go back and undo those 40 years.

Thank God that many of these older priests are choosing to serve right up until they reach the end of the road. Our pastor is over 80 and the Jesuit who comes in to say the indult Mass is 78, and recently returned from an enforced stay in a nursing home. But no matter how dedicated they are, they cannot go on forever. And when they finally die, there is no one to take their place.

[RobbyS]

Maybe a sign that the diocese is more agressively recruiting priests.

[Salvation]

In a personal email to me. (I will see if I can find an article to verify the numbers.)


**For some good news. Just received a mailing from the Oregon chapter of the Knights of Columbus asking for a financial contribution to the Mt.Angel Seminary. The letter contained the following quote - "Recently, Mt.Angel Seminary President/Rector, Fr. Richard Paperini, shared the wonderful news that enrollment at Mount Angel Seminary is increasing. He is projecting that enrollment for next fall will be between 170-180 seminarians, including 22 for the Archdiocese of Portland and six for the Diocese of Baker!"!!!!!! For reference, the usual enrollment for the Seminary was about 90 during the nineties.**

Salvation

[Salvation]

Catholic archdiocese of Washington [D.C.] has largest ordination class in 14 years

Roman Catholic friar community growing

Retiring priests pose problem for the Archdiocese of Boston