A growing church - WOW! There are 62 million US Catholics: third largest in the world, 1 in 4 Americans and increasing at a steady rate (Baptists are next with 15 million). In the last 40 years the Catholic population incresased by 261% West, 196%South, 59% Midwest, 52% East. There are 19,000 Parishes, 47,000 priests, 30,000 lay ecclesial ministers (30,000 more in formation programs), 13,000 deacons (2500 in formation), 12,000 youth ministers, 150,000 teachers, 232 colleges. 150 groups live in some form of common life - most with a connection of a local bishop; 25,000 lay associates are affiliated with religious orders. BUT -Fewer Priests - ratio in 1900 1:1900, 1950 1:650, 1999 1:1250 - to be addressed through some lay pastoral care, reducing the number of Masses, a limited merging of parishes, and utilizing deacons and lay ecclesial ministers who stand ready to assist their pastors and Church. Interestingly, while most Catholics notice a decline in priests, 75% report they have not been affected by the decline.
Jim
Source:National Council of Catholic Bishops

>>>BUT -Fewer Priests - ratio in 1900
1:1900, 1950 1:650, 1999 1:1250 - to be addressed through some lay pastoral care, reducing the number of Masses, a limited merging of parishes, and utilizing deacons and lay ecclesial ministers who stand ready to assist their pastors and Church

The highes ratio of priests to faithful was actually reached in 1942, at something around 1:450. It underwent a steady decline from then through 1968, when the bottom fell out (an indication that there was something fundamentally unsound with the pre-concilliar Church, for one cannot just blame the phenomenon on Vatican II). Since the late 1980s there has been something of a revival in vocations, but that has been outweighed by the increase in (nominal) Catholics (studies show that only about half of those claiming Catholic identity actively practice their faith). Thus, if we were to go by the number of people actually attending Mass on a regular basis, the ratio is probably closer to 1:700--or very close to the 1950 level.

It occured to me some time ago that the problem isn't so much a shortage of priests as a maldistribution of priests, and an inefficient utilization of resources. Before resorting to such drastic measures as increasing the use of lay ministers, or consolidating parishes, perhaps there should be a reevaluation of where priests are, and how they are being used. How many are in non-pastoral positions? How many are in chancery offices, or university teaching positions? How many are doing administrative jobs that could (and should) be filled by laymen or deacons? If we cleaned out the augean stable of clerical overhead positions, I suspect that much of the priest shortage would go away, but a lot of priests in cushy jobs would have to work for a living, and a lot of Church activists who envision a greater sacramental role for the laity will be gravely disappointed.

[This message has been edited by StuartK (edited 06-16-2000).]

Yes: Stuart, you are right on target - the major frustration of priests is the administrative responsibilities and the sometimes unrealistic parishoner expectations which limit sacrimental and interpersonal ministry. Certainly a shift of these responsibilities would provide for more quality priestly time.
Regarding lay activity, is there a Crusillo and/or DeColores movement active within the Eastern Churches. I made my week-end a few months ago and found it to be a very moving and life changing experience. Seems to me this would fit in very nicely with Eastern thoughts, traditions and ways.
DeColores in Christo!
Jim