Catholic archdiocese of Washington has largest ordination class in 14 years

Associated Press | May 23, 2003 | Michael Kahn

[NYer]

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Nine men will become Catholic priests Saturday in the nation's capital _ the Washington archdiocese's largest ordination class in 14 years.

The past year's news stories about sex scandals have not turned them away, says church spokeswoman Susan Gibbs. More like the opposite. ``What our vocations directors were finding here _ and around the country _ was the men who've been thinking about it became more committed to working for the church, because what they saw in the scandal was not a reflection of priesthood and what a good priest is,'' Gibbs said.

Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, who will preside over the ordinations, has made priest recruitment a priority since he came to Washington in 2001. Rather than resort to billboards or the high-tech approach used in some dioceses, he relies on the personal. ``A priest recommending a young man in his parish, a chaplain at a university bringing up the idea'' are among the methods, said Gibbs.

Typically, it takes four to seven years to become a priest. Last fall, the archdiocese had about 15 men enter the seminary, but some always drop out. ``People enter and they might find out they're really not called to that, but at least they found out,'' Gibbs said.

This year's class includes Scott Hahn, 38, an Ohio native who grew up on a hog farm and then went on to teach in a Washington school. There is also a former George Washington University track coach, Gregory Coan, 39, as well as John Caulfield, 29, whom Gibbs describes as ``the all-American boy.'' ``He's the kind of boy your mom wants you to bring home. And God brought him home,'' Gibbs said.

The Archdiocese of Washington serves 550,000 Roman Catholics living in the District of Columbia and five southern Maryland counties.

[NYer]

This year's class includes Scott Hahn, 38, an Ohio native who grew up on a hog farm and then went on to teach in a Washington school.

No, this is NOT Dr. Scott Hahn.

[NYer]

Ordination bump!

Why are so many ordinations scheduled for this weekend ... oops, perhaps I have just answered my own question. It is the equivalent of graduation, only to a much higher position! Right?

[sitetest]

Dear NYer,

"Last fall, the archdiocese had about 15 men enter the seminary, but some always drop out."

Actually, there were 17 seminarians in last year's first year class, and I think two more may have joined late.

Things are on the upswing, here.


sitetest

[pseudo-justin]

``What our vocations directors were finding here _ and around the country _ was the men who've been thinking about it became more committed to working for the church, because what they saw in the scandal was not a reflection of priesthood and what a good priest is,'' Gibbs said.

I think this is quite true. I personally know a young man from Milwaukee who, after Weakland was driven from his post by his manly ex-lover, was so disgusted that he decided he had no choice but to go into the priesthood.

The effect that scandals had on him, and several men I know, is that it quite effectiveley drove them to think of things this way:

"And the saints are humble, that is to say, the mediocrity of the Church does not deter them from expressing once and for all their solidarity with her, knowing well that without her they could never find their way to God. To bypass Christ's Church with the idea of making their way to God on their own initiative would never occur to them. They do battle with the mediocrity of Christ's Church not by protesting but by enkindling and encouraging the better. The Church causes them pain, but they do not become embittered and stand aside to sulk. They form no dissident groups but cast their fire into the midst.Of course the Church "should do this, should do that." She "should do" everything, and much more than she is ever capable of doing. But should not the words "the Church should do this" mean "I should do it?""

--Hans Urs von Balthasaar

[american colleen]

``He's the kind of boy your mom wants you to bring home. And God brought him home,'' Gibbs said.

Granted, I am tired on Fridays after working nights all week & getting up early with the kids, so my emotions can be close to the surface, but the above statement has me all choked up.

God is good.

[Dajjal]

So 9 men is a huge class. I'd bet that the pre-1963 figures were closer to 90 per year.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

Interesting point about those inspired to answer their call. Good Catholic education is important. We all play some role in creating the ennvironment, atmosphere, trends, and perspectives from which priestly candidates emerge. We had a very good teacher ( a vowed religious, female)in grade school who focused on encouraging boys to serve as lectors for Mass. This reverent Sister of Notre Dame was playing that role of encouraging knowledge and piety from which vocations flow.

Just keeping lines of communication open and discussing faith issues creates a healthy environment for the faith. Reading sacred scripture in grade school is a great way to keep things alive.

[Salvation]

Orthodox priesthood bump!

[JNB]

The pre Vatican II ordination numbers for a diocese of 500K may have been 10-12 a year, so 9 this year for the Washington archdiocese is actually a very good number. On the other hane, the LA archdiocese, a diocese that has 8 times the number of baptised Catholics that Washington does, is ordaining 4 priests this year.

[Salvation]

BTTT again!

[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

[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]

Also close to Pentecost.

[Salvation]

**So 9 men is a huge class. I'd bet that the pre-1963 figures were closer to 90 per year.**

With constant prayer and 24/7 Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament this will happen again. Additionally, I think the younger men know that they do not want priests like the pedophiles that they have just seen in the Catholic Church. They want to be holy and much better; in short, they want to bring about orthodoxy and a positive call and change to holiness.

[Salvation]

**On the other hane, the LA archdiocese, a diocese that has 8 times the number of baptised Catholics that Washington does, is ordaining 4 priests this year.**

I have to think that this is mostly Mahoney's doing or 'undoing' if you prefer to call it that.

[Aloysius]

Gregory Coan, 39

Gonzaga College High School, Class of 1982. One of the best cross-country runners of his time. God bless him, he's a good man.

[Jeff Chandler]

>>the LA archdiocese ... is ordaining 4 priests this year.<<

Only 4 ordinations to the priesthood in LA?! That alone is a scandal. It also speaks volumes about the future of the liberal wing of the Church.

[Loyalist]

It also speaks volumes about the future of the liberal wing of the Church.

You assume that the liberal AmChurch wants a significant sacramental priesthood. It doesn't. And while it has no future under its current nominal association with Rome, it has a prosperous future ahead of it as an independent church.

[Jeff Chandler]

it has a prosperous future ahead of it as an independent church.

Or so they think. Look at the pitiful plight of mainstream protestant churches.

If there is no substance to your faith, you might as well go fishing on Sunday instead of to Mass (I do both!) .

[JNB]

The LA archdiocese has no ordinations last year, only 2 in 2001 and 3 in 2000 and only 3 in 1999. I guess there are too few liberal seminarian canidates for the LA archdiocese.