Many western democracies are starving for vocations to the priesthood. There are some wonderfully pastoral priests who relate to and empathize with their flock, though, in my experience, they are the exception. Unfortunately, I have had too many conversations with dedicated parishoners who are disillusioned with pastors unwilling or, more likely and for many reasons, unable to relate to the people in their pews. Too many western democracies are starving for vocations to the priesthood. Though many factors are involved – practical ways to help remedy the overall decline in vocations and weekly church attendance, would be for the Church to make celibacy an option and to allow female priests. This would immediately rejuvenate vocations by bringing former priests back into the fold, encourage a host of new vocations (male & female) to the priesthood and display to the baptized and all the world – that the Church can understand, faithfully discern and respond to the needs of the People of God and the times.
The People Speak Out
Local voices connecting globally
This is important: to get to know people, listen, expand the circle of ideas. The world is crisscrossed by roads that come closer together and move apart, but the important thing is that they lead towards the Good. (Pope Francis) |
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Canon Law 212 calls upon the laity to speak up:2 - The Christian faithful are free to make known to the pastors of the Church their needs, especially spiritual ones, and their desires.§3. - According to the knowledge, competence, and prestige which they possess, they have the right and even at times the duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church and to make their opinion known to the rest of the Christian faithful, without prejudice to the integrity of faith and morals, with reverence toward their pastors, and attentive to common advantage and the dignity of persons. |
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