NFPC | US Bishops Reflect on Pastoral Impact of Fewer Priests

US Bishops Reflect on Pastoral Impact of Fewer Priests
Rev. Lawrence Dowling

(Excerpt from Fall 2000 -- Touchstone)

Editor's Comment: Following the June 2000 meeting of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, the NFPC received a copy of the Priestly Life & Ministry Committee's report entitled The Study of the Impact of Fewer Priests on the Pastoral Ministry. Although last minute, our editorial team thought that it might be of interest to our readership to carry both the highlights of the research summary and brief reflection by selected priests from across the U.S. It is obviously not the last word on the topic, but hopefully a starting point for further conversation by the church at all levels. Check the NFPC's Web site :www.nfpc.org for additional information as well as a link to the USCCB webpage that carries more information on the topic.

In 1980, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on the Parish affirmed that " the foremost leader of the parish remains the pastor (or team, where this is in effect)." The pastor is the point of unity between the parish and its activities, between the spiritual aspects of the parish and the mission of the larger Church. The fact that there are fewer numbers of priests is cause for concern among most priests as they fear overwork and less and less opportunities for true spiritual leadership, and of growing concern among the Catholic faithful as they fear a loss of pastoral outreach and their parishes becoming less viable and vital.

This past June the U.S. Bishops' Conference reviewed a study guided by the Conference's Priestly Life and Ministry Committee to evaluate the impact of fewer priests on pastoral ministry. The report, as Bishop Hanifen explains in his introduction, forms no opinions, but instead simply presents data and then asks each subcommittee -- Priestly Life and Ministry, African American Catholics, the Diaconate, Hispanic Affairs, Home Missions, Pastoral Practices, Vocations, and Lay Ecclesial Ministry to reflect on the data and to raise questions for discussion.

The Committee utilized the services of the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), which broke the project into three phases. Phase one involved gathering historical data on the Catholic population, number of priests and number of parishes. Phase Two involved gathering data on number, age and distribution of diocesan and religious order priests, as well as data on current and anticipated pastoral practice in view of fewer priests available. Phase Three used focus groups of priests, permanent deacons, lay ministers, as well as a random telephone survey of "people in the pews" to measure the impact of fewer priests on both those engaged in ministry and on the Catholic faithful.

The study surfaced the following base data. There are approximately 60 million Catholics in the U.S., the population increasing steadily in every region of the country, the rate being extraordinary in the West and South. There are over 19,000 parishes, the size in the West larger than in other regions. Whereas there are fewer parishes in the West than in other regions and new parishes could be established, a number of parishes in the East and Midwest could be consolidated. The diversity of the Catholic population reflects a rapid rate of growth of Hispanics/Latinos in all regions of the country and of Asian/Pacific Islanders.

The impact on priests reflects increased frustration with administrative responsibilities and the sometimes unrealistic expectations of parishioners, giving them little time for the fulfilling sacramental and interpersonal aspects. These demands lead to increased isolation and less mentoring from brother priests. The rapid growth and increased ethnic diversity of the Catholic population, along with an evolving sense of parish life and organization, means parish ministry is far more complex for priests today.

The priests interviewed and surveyed, although encouraged by growth in the diaconate and lay ministry, expressed a desire for a national level conversation among bishops that will lead to a more holistic understanding of the issues involved and to, possibly, more creative long-term solutions.

Deacons reported being well utilized with some concern over losing their ministry of charity to greater sacramental and liturgical ministry. Lay ecclesial ministers voiced a desire to assist their pastors and the church in any way.

The overall reaction of most Catholics is that, although they know there has been a decrease in the number of priests, fewer than 25% say they have been personally affected by it. Younger Catholics are least likely to say they have been affected by the decline. Also, most Catholics favor increased use of deacons and lay ministers to help meet needs, with just over 50% supporting merging of parishes as a way to meet needs.

We invited a few priests from around the country to start a dialogue for us around the issue of the priest shortage (or fewer priests as referred to by the bishops). We invite your response to the bishops and to these writers by mailing, faxing or e-mailing the National Federation of Priests' Councils. Your responses will be helpful both to the bishops and to the NFPC as we continue to seek ways to support priests in their ministry.
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Rev. Lawrence Dowling, pastor of St. Denis Parish in Chicago, IL, is the editor of Upturn, the magazine of the Association of Chicago Priests.

Statistics

LAY ECCLESIAL MINISTERS
The number of lay ecclesial ministers, now approximately 30,000, has increased over 30% over the past eight years, with 30,000 more currently in formation in degree or certificate programs. There are over 13,000 deacons with another 2,500 in formation. There are approximately 12,000 youth ministers and 150,000 Catholic school teachers. There are 150 groups recently formed to live some form of common life, most being local efforts with some connection to the local bishop. And there are 25,000 lay associates affiliated with US religious orders.

AVAILABLE PRIESTS
Obviously the number of available priests for pastoral ministry has not kept pace with these changes. Eighty-two percent of dioceses report fewer priests relative to pastoral needs compared to ten years ago, the shortage most prevalent in the Midwest and West. Of the 46,709 priests in the U.S., 31,162 are diocesan, 15,547 are religious, with another 9,524 retired. Of this group, approximately 27,000 are active in parish work. Of this group 16% of active priests have come from other countries, predominantly Ireland, India, the Philippines, Poland, Vietnam, Mexico, Colombia, and Nigeria. One percent of all priests are African American, 3% are Hispanic/Latino and 2% are Asian/Pacific Islanders. Four percent of seminarians are African American, 13% are Hispanic/Latino and 9% are Asian/Pacific Islanders. The remainder of both priests and seminarians is predominantly Caucasian.

RATIOS: PRIESTS TO PEOPLE
Ratios of priests to people in 1900 was 1:900; in 1950, 1:650; in 1999, 1:1200 (note in the West the ratio is 1:1752). Key differences between 1900 and 1999 are a substantially higher average age of priests, now 57 years for diocesan and 63 for religious with a much greater diversity of people today. Also, the skills required of pastors are very different than in 1900. There are 433 priests over 90 and 298 under 30, reflecting that most ordinations now occur after age 30. On a positive note is the fact that priests tend to live longer than other males in the population.

PASTORAL PRACTICE
In the area of pastoral practice, the study surfaced the following: Of the approximately 19,000 parishes, 73% have a resident pastor, 13% share a pastor, and 12% are without a resident pastor. Some 437 parishes have been entrusted to the pastoral care of a person other than a priest under canon 517.2. Only 22% of the dioceses utilize canon 517.2 somewhat or very much, with 53% expressing an intent to utilize this strategy more over the next ten years. Six percent of dioceses assign priests somewhat or very much to serve one or more parishes as a team under canon 517.1, with 36% indicating an intent to utilize this more in the future.

OTHER STRATEGIES
Other strategies include: aggressive vocation recruitment (80% of dioceses); organizing ministry for retired priests (43% now, 61% with intent); closing parishes (13%); sharing ministry staff (37%); reducing the number of Masses (42%, with 69% expecting to do so in next 10 years); utilizing deacons in greater sacramental ministry (52%); employing deacons and lay persons in parish management (69% now, 87% of dioceses expect to utilize this approach in the next 10 years); increased utilization of lay ecclesial ministers (74%, 86% moving in this direction over next 10 years); utilization of lay ecclesial ministers in diocesan offices and institutions (81%).

Reflections on the Impact of Fewer Priests on the Pastoral Ministry

I am grateful for the report of the Bishops Committee on Priestly Life and Ministry and consider it a sign of hope. Coming to grips with the actual situation is a symptom of corporate health and I appreciate the bishops taking the lead on this.

These are some of my reflections from my vantage point as president of a major school of theology that prepares both seminarians and ecclesial lay ministers:

Rev. Donald Senior, CP
President, Catholic Theological Union
Chicago, IL

The Executive Summary on The Study of the Impact of Fewer Priests on the Pastoral Ministry "hits the nail on the head" as far as I am concerned. The very happy reality of a growing church with all the diversity of peoples that growth indicates, is the key challenge/problem with regard to providing ministers (priests) for such growth. Since priests have, for the most part, traditionally provided the pastoral ministry for the parishes in their care, the reality of fewer of them and the reality of fewer men being recruited for seminary formation means that there is a shortage of priests. To ignore or try to "smooth over" this reality by describing the shortage as "fewer" gives the impression that the crisis we face is just on the "brink" of being resolved. Not so. While there have been some increases in the number of seminarians and newly ordained in the South, the growth of the church here far outpaces those increased numbers. Furthermore, there is a major need to have support systems in place wherein those priests who are presently "in the trenches" can experience the communication and care of their Ordinaries and brother priests. Hopefully, this would provide the environment in which priests could avoid being overwhelmed by the increased ministerial load and the consequent administrative burden so often accompanying growth of the magnitude we are experiencing.

The availability of and the continued growth in the diaconate and lay ministry is a work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is inspiring many to ministry and where these ministers have had effective formation processes; they have been a great asset to the church. This must continue and be given continued encouragement (and priority?) so that the ministry of the priest can be experienced always in collaboration with these other ministers. In this way the ministry of the priest may be less intimidating for those considering it, as long as they know they will not be responsible for each and every detail of ministry in a parish.

Rev. Wilbur Thomas
Diocesan Vicar of Priests, Diocese of Charlotte
Asheville, NC

The study commissioned by the USCCB calls for a thoughtful, carefully considered response. I would suggest a three-fold response: the recruitment of additional priests, the integrated deployment of those already ordained, and finally, the enhancement of the ordained through ongoing formation.

Recruitment efforts must aim not just for quantity, but quality to match a more and more demanding task. Integrated deployment means carefully linking priestly ministry with other ministry in the church and, at times, re-educating the Christian faithful to a different set of ministerial expectations. Finally, enhancement through ongoing formation means expanding the repertoire of priests, so that they can serve more effectively and more efficiently with greater prospects for their spiritual and ministerial growth.

Rev. Louis J. Cameli
Director of Ongoing Formation of Priests
Archdiocese of Chicago

The first point under #4 reports the frustration and isolation that priests feel, due to the shortage. This issue should be underlined and bold-faced!! The support structures that used to exist have either disappeared or are much less present. At a recent meeting in our diocese to discuss an assessment/evaluation process for priests, one of the priests present asked "Who cares about me?" There was dead silence in the room; no one had an answer. (For what it's worth, the priest who asked the question is not a whiner or complainer.)

When I discussed the idea of an evaluation process with my support group one member responded that it sounds like asking an army that is fleeing for its life to stop and evaluate the success of their mission.

I must say that our current ordinary, and his predecessor, respond very well to a crisis (e.g., a priest needing treatment for alcoholism receives a supportive and caring response) That is greatly appreciated. It's the Father Joe Average who is doing a good job, covering his parish and serving the people that is feeling frustrated and isolated. The traditional forms of affirmation don't work any more. Most priests, in my experience, are not at all interested in being named Monsignors and to be named pastor of a larger parish just brings more headaches.

Several years ago, when our diocese began the Emmaus Process, there was a strong publicity push in the diocesan paper explaining the process and asking for peoples' understanding when priests were away from the parish. The response was tremendous. What if bishops announced a policy that, due to the shortage of priests, we would no longer be available to do wedding rehearsals, or rosaries at wakes, or regularly attend school board meetings, or whatever other reduction in service the priests of that diocese thought was most appropriate? I believe it would send a message to the people that there is a shortage. As your study indicates, most people don't realize that. It would also send a message to priests that someone does care!!

Rev. Michael Tierney
Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese
Lee's Summit, MO

Priests are challenged today to minister in a church that finds division clearly among the bishops. Still, as priests, we are expected to live and work as if there is no division. It is of little wonder why we search for meaning, struggle to speak clearly to the people to whom we minister and still do all in our power to remain faithful and committed to the church we love.

Clearly, we need to learn new models of working collaboratively together and to work collaboratively with one another in our love and dedication to the church. Competition and power issues that involved all called to ordained ministry lessons the gifts of everyone. Until this new model emerges, it will be difficult to recruit both ordained and lay ministers, because ministry quickly finds dead ends. As bishops affirm the ministry of the priest, in turn will priests affirm their bishops. Ministry can never be for anyone a simple personal expression of their individual faith, but a call to serve the greater church in all her forms.

Rev. Robert McAleer
St. John Vianney Parish, Archdiocese of Dubuque
Bettendorf, IA

More and more lay people are assuming ministerial leadership. Great! But in an age of pastoral complexity and educated parishioners, we need highly trained laity, as well as religious and priests in ministry. And the church finally decides to seek lay leadership just when more and more people have less and less time!

There is a priest "shortage" not simply "fewer" priests. Until the bishops get that straight, they will see no need for significant change. Remember the man who drowned and went to heaven and complained that God wouldn't save him during the flood? God said, "I sent you two boats and a helicopter!" Clear?

Rev. Joseph B. Ruiz
St. Edmund Parish, Archdiocese of Chicago
Oak Park, IL

It seems to me based upon the work of the Holy Spirit as revealed in the early church as expressed in the Acts of the Apostles and the entire history (His-Story) of the church that the Holy Spirit directs, leads, and guides the church by a process of closing and opening of doors. When certain doors are shut (the ordination of women and married persons), other doors are more clearly opened (laity-driven parishes, the importance of the diaconate, and greater religious vocational recruitment).

To assure that the growing Catholic Church in the U.S. has sufficient shepherding the Holy Spirit may be challenging us to place our energies today in three areas: 1) more aggressive religious vocational recruitment, 2) proper use of the diaconate, and 3) training of the laity in leadership positions for the parish.

By refining the roles that we all have to play in the work of the church, The Body of Christ will more solidly be built.

Rev. James Manning
St. Albert Parish, Archdiocese of Cincinnati
Dayton, OH

As I look at our church today, I see a Roman leadership that has become fearful that it is losing control of God's people. As a result, this leadership is resorting to power and control. Our own episcopal conference (all but some forty of its bishops, at least) complicates this by being afraid to stand up to Rome (witness the ICEL conflict, the need to re-approve an already approved lectionary, backing off its initial Ex Corde stance, etc).

Where to go? Two points, the second flowing from the first. First, I'm betting my spiritual life that Karl Rahner was correct in saying, "In the future, Christians will be mystics or they will be nothing at all." Mystic . . . in the sense of one's awareness of the very presence of God within them. Second, let us catechize, theologize and preach with this awareness and then do what Jesus did, namely, proclaim the Gospel works of justice by seeing in others, especially in the poor, the same blessedness we see in ourselves. One cannot do this from a stance of fear . . .only freely with an awareness of God's love.

Rev. James Friedel, OSA
Parish Retreats, Tolentine Center
Olympia Fields, IL

1) KEY CHALLENGE/PROBLEM: Because of the shortage of priests, I feel that we are in danger of becoming more and more a "word" church with communion attached rather than a Sacramental church that we are theologically. Though lay people and deacons can do ministry and administration, that is not enough when the people gather on Sunday, many, increasingly, without a priest. I see no justification, in this country or in others, for sacrificing our identity as church on the altar of celibacy.

2) I have no doubt that without the shortage of priests and women religious, we would never have developed the ministry of the laity to the extent that we are exploring today. The Holy Spirit can bring this great good, even out of the evil of clergy shortages. We have come a long way since Catholic Action was viewed as the "participation of the laity in the work of the hierarchy."

3) The bishops have to begin to fund the formation and training of the laity in their ministries. It is too expensive for many people to do it on their own or to be funded by individual parishes. A plan to help in this training and formation would be very much in order.

4) It is unclear, particularly given the tenor of much of the hierarchy and the Vatican, to what your invitation of participation of the people is. I don't think most priests are reluctant to recruit or encourage lay people to become church ministers nor to recruit deacon candidates. Many would not encourage women to enter the convent, which seems in many cases to be dying or irrelevant to the future, though the women religious have done great service in the past. It's a mixed bag with recruiting men to be priests. A lot of priests would not want having them trained in some of our more up-tight seminaries or serve with some of our more up-tight bishops. We also don't want to ordain "rigid" men to the priesthood, a group that many bishops seem to be making a special effort to recruit.

5) Bishops need to listen more to the pastoral concerns of their priests and take some action, give some direction about how to make the job description of priests, especially pastors, more realistic. It is too difficult for many priests to do this on their own without some guidelines and help from above. Above all, bishops need to take their heads out of the sand and face the real issues, at least talk about the real issues, rather than pretend they don't exist or will go away with enough prayer and vocation recruitment. In general, it seems to me, bishops do not really listen to the concerns of their best priests these days because they feel so unable to do much about it, given many of Rome's stances on issues. But some things can be done with a little creativity and willingness to step out. Above all, the bishop can let it be known that he is willing to listen and understand.

6) They need, hopefully with their bishop and especially their presbyteral council to develop some realistic guidelines for the number of Masses, what the priorities of a priest's service ought to be and how to keep priests from burning out, especially as they get older. They have to support a priest in saying "no" to unrealistic jobs that get placed on some priests. They need to help one another develop lay ministries and alternative ways to carry on the ministry that they do not have the personal energy, ability or time to do any longer.

7) We tend not to talk about all this. We tend to find our own solutions and don't really get together with other priests to look at the real issues that effect us all. We don't tend to confront the bishop with the real issues and let him live in never-never land. And finally, we tend to retreat to our own parish ministry, dismissing the Vatican and the local diocesan structure as unhelpful at best and as an obstacle to ministry at worst. We descend into Catholic congregationalism, which is becoming an epidemic means of survival for priests in our day. "Each to his own God; each in his own way." Nothing very Catholic about that, but very understandable given the climate of the church today.