USCCB - (PLM) - The Study of the Impact of Fewer Priests on the Pastoral Ministry

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The Study of the Impact of Fewer Priests on the Pastoral Ministry

Executive Summary:
June 2000

A Growing Church in the Jubilee Year 2000:

There are approximately 60 million Catholics in the United States. The Study indicates that the Catholic population continues to increase at a steady rate.

The Catholic population is growing in every region of the country. The rate of growth in the Catholic population in the West and the South has been extraordinary. The Catholic population has increased by 261 percent in the West and by 196 percent in the South over the past forty years, while it grew by 52 percent and 59 percent respectively in the East and the Midwest.

There are over 19,000 parishes in the United States. Parish size in the West is larger than in other parts of the country. The West has fewer parishes than other regions, and could probably establish new parishes at any time. In a number of dioceses in the East and the Midwest, parishes could probably be consolidated.

The diversity of the Catholic population is significant. There has been a more rapid rate of growth in the Hispanic/Latino and Asian/Pacific Islander populations. The Hispanic/Latino population has grown in all regions of the country.

There has been a 30 + percent increase in the number of lay ecclesial ministers over the past eight years. There are approximately 30,000 at this time. Another 30,000 are currently in formation in degree or certificate programs across the country. There are over 13,000 deacons in the United States, with another 2,500 in formation. There are approximately 12,000 youth ministers. There are approximately 150,000 Catholic school teachers.

There are 150 groups across the country that have recently been formed with the intention to live some form of a common life. Most of these are local efforts with some connection to the local bishop. There are more than 25,000 lay associates affiliated with US Catholic religious orders.
Fewer Priests:

The number of priests available for pastoral ministry has not kept up with this extraordinary Church growth. Eight-two percent of dioceses and eparchies report that they have fewer priests relative to their pastoral needs compared to a decade ago. The shortage is most reported in the Midwest and the West, and least reported in the Northeast and the South.

There are 46 709 priests in the United States: some 31,162 are diocesan priests; some 15,547 are religious priests; another 9,524 priests are retired. Approximately, 27,000 priests are active in parish ministry.

The ratio of priests to people in 1900 was approximately 1:900. In 1950 the ratio was approximately 1: 650. In 1999 the ratio was approximately 1: 1200. The 1940's and 1950's saw a significant increase in the number of priests both diocesan and religious. The years since have been something of a balancing out as the century came to a close. There are several distinctions that are critical in considering the impact of the 1999 ratio of priests to people. First, the age of the one priest in 1999 is substantially higher than it was in 1900. Second, the 1200 people in the equation reflect a greater diversity than they did in 1900. Third, parish life is more complex than it was 100 years ago, so that, new sets of skills are required of today's pastors. There are also some significant regional differences in this priest to people ratio. Of special note is that the priest to people ratio in the West is 1: 1752. This is much higher than the national rate.

The average age of priests in the United States is 57 years for diocesan priests, and 63 years for religious priests. There are 433 priests over the age of 90 and 298 priests under the age of 30. This reflects the fact that most ordinations today occur after the age of 30. It also reflects the fact, as reported by the Third Age Center at Fordham University, that priests tend to live somewhat longer, on average, than other males in the population as a whole.

Presently, 16 percent of all the priests active in parish ministry have come from other countries. This figure includes those who were born in countries outside of the U.S. but educated here, as well as those who were ordained in other countries and came here following ordination. The largest national representations in this group are as follows: Ireland, India, the Philippines, Poland, Vietnam, Mexico, Colombia, and Nigeria.

In terms of ethnic diversity today's priests are overwhelmingly Caucasian. One percent of all priests are African American; 3 percent of all priests are Hispanic/Latino; 2 percent of all priests are Asian/Pacific Islanders. All of these reflect increases over the past 5 years. Today's seminarians reflect and even more diverse population: 4 percent of today's seminarians are African American; 13 percent are Hispanic/Latino; 9 percent are Asian/Pacific Islanders.
Key Pastoral Practices:

Four out of five dioceses have a vocation recruitment program in place. Four out of five dioceses report offering assistance to priests in vocation recruitment.

Of the approximately 19,000 parishes in the United States, 73 percent still have their own resident pastor: 2',386 parishes share a pastor; 2,334 parishes are without a resident pastor. Almost every diocese reports having fewer parochial vicars.

Some 437 parishes have been entrusted to the pastoral care of a person other than a priest (canon 517.2) Though 58 percent of dioceses report utilizing the provision of canon 517.2, currently only 22 percent of the dioceses utilize it "somewhat" or "very much". But during the next ten years 53 percent of the dioceses indicate that they expect to increase this utilization. At the present time 6 percent of the dioceses assign priests "somewhat" or "very much" to serve one or more parishes as a team according to canon 517.1, while 36 percent of the dioceses indicated that they intend to do this in the future.

Currently 43 percent of the dioceses report that they "somewhat" or "very much" organize ministry for priests after retirement. Fully 61 percent of the dioceses report that they expect to do so within 10 years.

Closing parishes is a strategy for addressing the situation of fewer priests for 13 percent of dioceses.

Some 37 percent of the dioceses report "somewhat" or "very much" utilizing a strategy whereby parishes share ministry staff. (DRE's, youth ministers, etc.)

Reducing the number of Masses is a strategy used "somewhat" or "very much" by 42 percent of the dioceses; but 69 percent of the dioceses expect to do this within 10 years.

Presently 52 percent of dioceses report utilizing deacons in greater sacramental/liturgical ministry. Fully another 69 percent of the dioceses report employing deacons or lay persons in parish management "somewhat" or "very much." In the next ten years, 87 percent of the dioceses anticipate assigning more deacons and lay ministers to assist in parish management. Today, 74 percent of the dioceses report increased utilization of lay ecclesial ministers. Over the next ten years, 86 percent of the dioceses expect to move in this direction. In addition, 81 percent of the dioceses report greater use of lay ecclesial ministers in diocesan offices and institutions. Over the next ten years, 82 percent of the dioceses plan to move in this direction.
The Impact

Priests report frustration that the administrative responsibilities and the sometimes unrealistic expectations of parishioners give them little time for the sacramental and interpersonal aspects of ministry that they find so fulfilling. These same demands lead to increased isolation and less mentoring from brother priests.

The rapid growth of the Catholic population in some areas and the decline in other areas, combined with the increased ethnic diversity and an evolving sense of parish life and organization means that parish ministry is far more complex for priests today.

Priests are encouraged by the growth in the diaconate and in parish lay ministry but express a desire for a national-level conversation among bishops that will lead to a more holistic understanding of the issues involved and possibly to more creative long-term solutions.

Deacons report being well utilized. They also express some anxiety, however, about losing some of their ministry to charity because of increased sacramental and liturgical ministry.

Lay Ecclesial Ministers report that they stand ready to assist their pastors and the Church in any way they can be of assistance.

While most Catholics notice that there has been a decline in the number of priests, fewer than one in four say they have been personally affected by this change. Another way of saying this is that over 75 percent of Catholics report that they have not been affected by a decline in the number of priests. Younger Catholics are least likely to say that they have noticed or been affected by the decline.

Catholics most favor an increasing use of deacons and lay ministers to help meet the needs of Catholics in a time of fewer priests. Just over half support merging parishes as a way to meet needs.

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