The priesthood is in a state of crisis.
That’s not a criticism of anyone. There are faithful people at every level (clergy and laity alike) laboring in the Church, showing up day after day and trying to get the job done. Praise God for that.
But the priesthood is in a state of crisis, a claim buttressed by extensive data and evidence on the spiritual, mental, physical, and ministerial welfare of our priests. So grave is this problem that many are wondering why so many men are leaving the priesthood.
As a Church, we really need to thoroughly, prayerfully, and systematically address this issue—because as Vatican II’s Decree on Priestly Training Optatam Totius says, “The desired renewal of the whole Church depends to a great extent on the ministry of its priests.” We’re all talking about evangelization, but it seems to me that we are neglecting how a strong and holy presbyterate is a core driver of the renewal that we desire. Might the renewal of the priesthood be the quickest way to bring about a renewal in the Church?
It’s important to say again that analyzing the crisis in the priesthood must be without casting blame (i.e., it’s the bishops’ fault, it’s the priests’
