Figures from the Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) show the precipitous drop in vocations to the priesthood and religious life in the United States.
In the US during the 1970s there were nearly 161,000 religious sisters; in 2020 there were roughly 41,000 sisters. Again, in the 1970s there were approximately 55,000 priests and 11, 600 religious brothers. In 2020 that figure was 35,000 priests and 3,800 religious brothers.
PAT SAYS
Those figures from Georgetown are not surprising but certainly thought provoking.
The number of religious sisters has dropped by 120,000 in 50 years.
There are 20,000 less priests and 32,000 less religious brothers.
As Fr Des Wilson once remarked:
“Nuns in Ireland are now as scarce as the Corncrake”.
Maynooth used to boast 600 seminarians.
Now it’s 20 +
The vast majority of priests in Ireland are 65 + years old.
The dioceses of Galway and Clonfert were recently merged for all intents and purposes.
DOWN AND CONNOR
Where I live in D&C has 89 parishes.
Rumour has it that that number will reduced to 45.
There may be countries in the world where vocations are plentiful – but that’s in the Thord World.
Catholicism in the West is dying and dying quickly.
When I was ordained 46 years ago Sunday Masses were many and they were all packed.
Now many churches has a very small congregation consisting mainly of older ladies.
I never saw this day coming in Ireland.
The Catholic Religion on Ireland is disappearing like snow off a ditch.
CAUSES?
1. All the scandals?
2. The rise in anti clericalism.
3. View of the RCC as totally corrupt.
The RCC itself like to portray all of this as “bad apples” in the barrel”.
Many of the rest us us say the problem is a ROTTEN BARREL.
THE SUCCESS OF COVID VACCINES IN NORTHERN IRELAND.
Today I went to Ballymena and received my FIFTH VACCINATION.
All the vaccines I received were the best one ‘ Pfizer Biontech.
The Pfizer costs £ 16 a dose.
Someone told me the Astra Zeneca is about £ 1.50 a dose.
I have lived in the UK since I was ordained 46 years ago.
Our NHS here is wonderful.
I’ve always been so well looked after.
In the Republic of Ireland my siblings pay € 60 to see a GP and maybe another € 50 for their prescribed drugs.
Here my GP is free and my prescriptions are free.
Why would I vote for a United Ireland?
BISHOP PAT BUCKLEY 