Married father of eight ordained a Catholic priest for Pennsylvania diocese

[catharina]

I don’t believe that this is a “path” as you put it, but who knows what he future might hold.

The scenerio you mention above is not likely to happen since **the exemptions granted are very restrictive **and generally are for men who were ordained in the Epischopal or Anglican communion. I don’t see this as being away fro young men to circumvent the celbacy rules.

Peace
James

Hi. I have a “number” on that.
It’s a number from a newsletter in 2005 but it’s likely still much the same.

"After nearly 25 years as an Anglican priest, Father Jim was received by Archbishop ------
into the Catholic Church. With the support of the Archbishop, he began the process to petition the Vatican to be ordained as a Catholic priest under the “Pastoral Provision,” which permits married, former Anglican/Episcopal priests to seek ordination as Catholic priests.

Ordained in 2003, Father Jim has the distinction of being the first married priest in the archdiocese and one of a few hundred in the world."

This came to my attention because this morning I attended the earliest Sunday Mass at
my local parish and, for the first time, the married priest at my parish was the celebrant.
So when I got home, I googled Father.

I’ve been at my parish for 10+ years and Father has been assigned there for seven yrs
but until this morning, I’d never attended one of his Masses. Usually, I’m at the earliest
Mass on Sundays; usually, he celbrates a later Mass. Coincidental to this thread, I’m
sure, but very nice timing.

 

[LittleSoldier]

Well. on second thought, that might be a bit over the top but what about the married deacons who would otherwise have chosen priesthood had it been allowed? I know most deacons say they don’t want to be priests but that isn’t true in all cases. Is it fair to them? How can a man who spent all his prior life denying the true religion suddenly be more worthy of Catholic priesthood than a deacon who spent his whole life extolling the true religion?

Then he said, "A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them.

After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need.

So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.

And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’

So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.

His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’

But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’

Then the celebration began.

Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ He said to him, 'My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours.

But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’" [Luke 15:11-32, NAB]

This is indeed a great day for celebration. This man has found his way home and he may have brought nine other people with him. The joy is not so much that he has become a priest because that is always a cause for joy, but because he has come home to the True Church.

He is not more worthy to become a priest. He is as worthy to become a priest.

 

[LittleSoldier]

Judging by the fact that this merits a story and you felt inspired to repost that story here while the ordination of unmarried Catholics to the priesthood goes without comment almost unnoticed it would seem so with some people.

Also judging by the comments underneath this story at this link you posted this is indeed seen as a weapon to be used to try and destroy the tradition of priestly celibacy within the Catholic Church by some malcontent’s.

Here are some more comments:

“Welcome home Father Paul! How great it is to see another Protestant brother come home to the Catholic Church!May God bless You and Your Family! I would love to hear Your life story.Maybe You should write a book? God Bless!!”

“Hi Father, W E L C O M E! TO OUR CATHOLIC FAITH. HOW VERY BLESSED WE ARE ESPECIALLY WITH YOUR JEWISH HERITAGE. I BET YOUR HOMILIES ARE OUTSTANDING AND I AM VERY GALD TO SEE THAT YOU ARE PRO LIFE. “THANK YOU” FOR YOUR GIFT OF SERVICE IN THE PRIESTHOOD OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH.”

“Congratulations Father. We request your blessings as a new priest for our family - me, my wife, 2 daughters and a son. i pray the Lord that your joy is constant and your enthusiasm for the Lord is ever so great”.

“Sorry to say that I don’t believe this should happen in the Catholic Church since we don’t have married priest and pray that we will never have married Priest or Nuns.”

“Fr. Shenck, What a wonderful witness you are, to the power of God! The article gave me goose pimples.”

“Wonderful, Fr. Paul. May God continue to bless you and your family abundantly. What a joy and what a gift to the Catholic church. Deo Gratias.”

“Praise God and welcome home, Father!”

“This conversion story of now-Catholic Fr. Paul Schenck, in my opinion, more than makes up for that horrible scandal created by Fr. Alberto Cutie many months ago.”

“Welcome to the Church, Fr. Shenck, Rebecca and your whole family. You are a great gift to all of us, including those of us outside of your diocese.”

“Fr. Shenck: We are so blessed to have your call to ministry as a married Catholic Priest, and father of 8, welcomed by our Pope and Bishops. Our Church is on the right path so long as we follow the true teachings of our Magisterium in Rome. And whichever ministry you choose is getting 9 parish helpers for the price of one…what a bargain. Why weren’t we doing this a long time ago? Praise God!”

“Wow! Am I excited to see a newly ordained Catholic priest has worked with American Center for Law & JUSTICE! What a wonderful & worthy organization! I listen to Jay Seculo’s radio program almost daily. We cannot get balanced news in the secular media. Much of what I hear on the ACLJ goes unreported. To Father Paul - welcome, welcome, welcome!! And Happy Father’s Day too!!! This is WONDERFUL news - thank you for reporting it! Any way you can send some of your other evangelical friends to California? We need help here.”

“Congratulations Fr. Paul! May Our Lord and Our Blessed Mother bless you throughout your ministry!”

“God bless this Fr. Shenck!!How wonderful that he listened to Our Lord. We need good priests to work for God, and what a treasure he will be for his large family- imagine! a priest for a father!Literally, as well as figuratively. How awesome. May God have his ear and whole being on this Earth! Onward to Glory! Louise p.s. Pray for my loved ones, and me, Father. Thank you. I pray for you.”

“Welcome to the Catholic Church Fr. Shenck! God bless you. I am also a convert to the Catholic Church from the Episcopal Church.”

“May God bless you Fr. Shenck and may he shower you with His sanctifying and charismatic gifts.”

“Welcome to the Roman Catholic Priesthood, Father Paul Shenck.”

“I saw Fr. Paul Shenck as a guest of Marcus Grodi host of the Journey Home on EWTN. We are blessed to have such a remarkable man lead God’s people to a deeper respect for the sanctity of all human life. Definitely one of the most remarkable interviews I have ever seen. Check it out in the archive multimedia library on the EWTN website.”

“What a religious journey you’ve had! Welcome to the fullness of the Church and congratulations on becoming a priest. Hopefully, Marcus Grodi will have you as a guest on his “Journey Home” program on EWTN. Your story would be most interesting to hear about!”

“Blessings to you Father Paul, and to your wife and 8 cherubs. I love reading beautiful stories such as this.”

"Welcome home Father Paul! How great it is to see another Protestant brother come home to the Catholic Church!May God bless You and Your Family! I would love to hear Your life story.Maybe You should write a book? God Bless!

And this is my favorite:

“I think this is great. I’m a lay student in a Catholic seminary’s MA program. One of our students is a married former Anglican priest, a convert to the RC Church and a seminarian for his diocese. The Church is facilitating the ordination of married men in the right way while still lifting up the value of celibacy.” [bolding added]

 

[JRKH]

Then he said, "A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them.

After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need.

So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.

And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’

So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.

His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’

But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’

Then the celebration began.

Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ He said to him, 'My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours.

But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’" [Luke 15:11-32, NAB]

This is indeed a great day for celebration. This man has found his way home and he may have brought nine other people with him. The joy is not so much that he has become a priest because that is always a cause for joy, but because he has come home to the True Church.

He is not more worthy to become a priest. He is as worthy to become a priest.

Peace
James

 

[catharina]

Here are some more comments:

“Welcome home Father Paul! How great it is to see another Protestant brother come home to the Catholic Church!May God bless You and Your Family! I would love to hear Your life story.Maybe You should write a book? God Bless!!”

“Hi Father, W E L C O M E! TO OUR CATHOLIC FAITH. HOW VERY BLESSED WE ARE ESPECIALLY WITH YOUR JEWISH HERITAGE. I BET YOUR HOMILIES ARE OUTSTANDING AND I AM VERY GALD TO SEE THAT YOU ARE PRO LIFE. “THANK YOU” FOR YOUR GIFT OF SERVICE IN THE PRIESTHOOD OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH.”

“Congratulations Father. We request your blessings as a new priest for our family - me, my wife, 2 daughters and a son. i pray the Lord that your joy is constant and your enthusiasm for the Lord is ever so great.” -

“Fr. Shenck, What a wonderful witness you are, to the power of God! The article gave me goose pimples.”

“Wonderful, Fr. Paul. May God continue to bless you and your family abundantly. What a joy and what a gift to the Catholic church. Deo Gratias.”

"Praise God and welcome home, Father! "

“Welcome to the Church, Fr. Shenck, Rebecca and your whole family. You are a great gift to all of us, including those of us outside of your diocese.”

“Fr. Shenck: We are so blessed to have your call to ministry as a married Catholic Priest, and father of 8, welcomed by our Pope and Bishops. Our Church is on the right path so long as we follow the true teachings of our Magisterium in Rome. And whichever ministry you choose is getting 9 parish helpers for the price of one…what a bargain. Why weren’t we doing this a long time ago? Praise God!”

And this is my favorite:

“I think this is great. I’m a lay student in a Catholic seminary’s MA program. One of our students is a married former Anglican priest, a convert to the RC Church and a seminarian for his diocese. The Church is facilitating the ordination of married men in the right way while still lifting up the value of celibacy.” [bolding added]

Simply lovely and I thank you so much.
As I said, I’d read none of the comments.
Bless you!

 

[LittleSoldier]

Simply lovely and I thank you so much.
As I said, I’d read none of the comments.
Bless you!

I didn’t have time to add this to my post, but out of 22 comments, I would consider two negative. These are all the comments, with the exception of the one that was already posted. 91 percent of the comments were positive; 9 percent were negative.

There is a married ex-Episcopal priest in a parish near my sister’s parish. I think it’s wonderful. We want unity and we want people to come home.

God bless and have a peaceful Sunday!!

 

[catharina]

I didn’t have time to add this to my post, but out of 22 comments, I would consider two negative. These are all the comments, with the exception of the one that was already posted. 91 percent of the comments were positive; 9 percent were negative.

There is a married ex-Episcopal priest in a parish near my sister’s parish. I think it’s wonderful. We want unity and we want people to come home.

God bless and have a peaceful Sunday!!

For me, so far so good.
Now, same to you!

 

[ProVobis]

An unmarried man being ordained isn’t because it happens all the time.

In the Eastern rites, it happens all the time. In fact, a married man can more easily get ordained by a Eastern bishop and can celebrate an OF or EF.

However, I thought the Vatican was making it harder to do this because of the support they would have to provide the wife and children. possible scandal if divorced, etc. amongst other things. So it’s a surprise that it allowed the ordination of this particular married individual. Just saying.

 

[ProVobis]

what about the married deacons who would otherwise have chosen priesthood had it been allowed?

Very good point.

 

[catharina]

… what about the married deacons who would otherwise have chosen priesthood had it been allowed?

At the moment: irrelevant.

 

[JReducation]

Don’t you guys think that you’re making a big issue over a little one? The fact that a married convert is ordained to the priesthood is not a big issue. This is allowed by the pastoral provision, period. As to the law that allows exceptions is not a law, this is not exactly true. Laws can allow exceptions and remain laws.

When the Catholic Church makes a law she has the right to dispense with it in cases where she feels that such a dispensation is appropriate and necessary for the salvation of souls. The law remains the law, but there is an exception to the law and that has to be recognized. There are some laws that do not allow for exceptions because they are tied into dogma, moral teachings or the exception would change the essence of the object of the law. But in this case, the ordination of a married man does not change a dogma, a moral teaching, nor does it take away from the clerical state which is the object of the law.

For centuries only celibate men could be ordained deacons in the Roman Church, while the other 21 Catholic Churches allowed married men to be ordained deacons and presbyters. The Roman Church began with exceptions to the rule and later changed the rule. The same is true about the ordination of married men to the priesthood. It is an exception to the rule and for very good reasons. The Church does not wish to impose the law of celibacy to those who were not born into the Roman Church, because the law of celibacy is burden to them. But those who are born into the Roman Church know this law exists and it is part of their heritage. Therefore, it should not be a burden to a Roman man who wants to be a priest. Not a big deal.

Let’s not lose energy and sleep over things that are not as important as the salvation of a person’s soul and the perfection of charity.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

Priestly celibacy is a practice that a Catholic can legitimately desire to see changed. Wanting to see married priests doesn’t make you a malcontent with an axe to grind.

Maybe not…but wanting to not necessarily married priest doesn’t make you negative either. I for one, would don’t want to…maybe because I’ve spent so much time as a Protestant and can see how it divides one’s time. I can’t image our priest doing all that he does AND still have time for a wife and eight children! Just my preference.

 

[JRKH]

Don’t you guys think that you’re making a big issue over a little one? The fact that a married convert is ordained to the priesthood is not a big issue. This is allowed by the pastoral provision, period. As to the law that allows exceptions is not a law, this is not exactly true. Laws can allow exceptions and remain laws.

When the Catholic Church makes a law she has the right to dispense with it in cases where she feels that such a dispensation is appropriate and necessary for the salvation of souls. The law remains the law, but there is an exception to the law and that has to be recognized. There are some laws that do not allow for exceptions because they are tied into dogma, moral teachings or the exception would change the essence of the object of the law. But in this case, the ordination of a married man does not change a dogma, a moral teaching, nor does it take away from the clerical state which is the object of the law.

For centuries only celibate men could be ordained deacons in the Roman Church, while the other 21 Catholic Churches allowed married men to be ordained deacons and presbyters. The Roman Church began with exceptions to the rule and later changed the rule. The same is true about the ordination of married men to the priesthood. It is an exception to the rule and for very good reasons. The Church does not wish to impose the law of celibacy to those who were not born into the Roman Church, because the law of celibacy is burden to them. But those who are born into the Roman Church know this law exists and it is part of their heritage. Therefore, it should not be a burden to a Roman man who wants to be a priest. Not a big deal.

Let’s not lose energy and sleep over things that are not as important as the salvation of a person’s soul and the perfection of charity.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Best post yet on the subject.

Peace
James

 

[catharina]

Don’t you guys think that you’re making a big issue over a little one? The fact that a married convert is ordained to the priesthood is not a big issue. This is allowed by the pastoral provision, period. As to the law that allows exceptions is not a law, this is not exactly true. Laws can allow exceptions and remain laws.

When the Catholic Church makes a law she has the right to dispense with it in cases where she feels that such a dispensation is appropriate and necessary for the salvation of souls. The law remains the law, but there is an exception to the law and that has to be recognized. There are some laws that do not allow for exceptions because they are tied into dogma, moral teachings or the exception would change the essence of the object of the law. But in this case, the ordination of a married man does not change a dogma, a moral teaching, nor does it take away from the clerical state which is the object of the law.

For centuries only celibate men could be ordained deacons in the Roman Church, while the other 21 Catholic Churches allowed married men to be ordained deacons and presbyters. The Roman Church began with exceptions to the rule and later changed the rule. The same is true about the ordination of married men to the priesthood. It is an exception to the rule and for very good reasons. The Church does not wish to impose the law of celibacy to those who were not born into the Roman Church, because the law of celibacy is burden to them. But those who are born into the Roman Church know this law exists and it is part of their heritage. Therefore, it should not be a burden to a Roman man who wants to be a priest. Not a big deal.

Let’s not lose energy and sleep over things that are not as important as the salvation of a person’s soul and the perfection of charity.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Thank you so much, Brother.

 

[LittleSoldier]

Don’t you guys think that you’re making a big issue over a little one? The fact that a married convert is ordained to the priesthood is not a big issue. This is allowed by the pastoral provision, period. As to the law that allows exceptions is not a law, this is not exactly true. Laws can allow exceptions and remain laws.

When the Catholic Church makes a law she has the right to dispense with it in cases where she feels that such a dispensation is appropriate and necessary for the salvation of souls. The law remains the law, but there is an exception to the law and that has to be recognized. There are some laws that do not allow for exceptions because they are tied into dogma, moral teachings or the exception would change the essence of the object of the law. But in this case, the ordination of a married man does not change a dogma, a moral teaching, nor does it take away from the clerical state which is the object of the law.

For centuries only celibate men could be ordained deacons in the Roman Church, while the other 21 Catholic Churches allowed married men to be ordained deacons and presbyters. The Roman Church began with exceptions to the rule and later changed the rule. The same is true about the ordination of married men to the priesthood. It is an exception to the rule and for very good reasons. The Church does not wish to impose the law of celibacy to those who were not born into the Roman Church, because the law of celibacy is burden to them. But those who are born into the Roman Church know this law exists and it is part of their heritage. Therefore, it should not be a burden to a Roman man who wants to be a priest. Not a big deal.

Let’s not lose energy and sleep over things that are not as important as the salvation of a person’s soul and the perfection of charity.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

I am happy every time a man becomes a priest. It is a cause for joy. That is a big issue to me. The circumstances behind the ordination are not important. I’m just so happy to know we have a new priest!

Where I live one priest has two parishes. There are very good people here who work hard to help in any way they can. Still, one priest has a hard time with all the work he needs to do, even though he is very happy to do it. The parishes are 25 miles apart so it takes at least half an hour to get from one parish to another.

That is one small reason I am so happy whenever any man becomes ordained. It makes my heart joyful.

God bless!

 

[catharina]

i am happy every time a man becomes a priest. It is a cause for joy. That is a big issue to me. The circumstances behind the ordination are not important. I’m just so happy to know we have a new priest!

Where i live one priest has two parishes. There are very good people here who work hard to help in any way they can. Still, one priest has a hard time with all the work he needs to do, even though he is very happy to do it. The parishes are 25 miles apart so it takes at least half an hour to get from one parish to another.

That is one small reason i am so happy whenever any man becomes ordained. It makes my heart joyful.

God bless!

Yes!

At my parish (a very large parish) we have four priests:
one from Ireland
one from Nigeria
one (married) from Canada
and one who is ‘retired’ but working.

Each one is blessing to the parish.

 

[JReducation]

Please don’t misunderstand my post. I too am happy whenever a man is ordained to the diaconate, priesthood or the episcopal order. I was just saying that it is not important if he has no children or 25.

I do understand the laity’s point of view on this subject. Trust me. My order has closed over 50 parishes, because we can no longer continue to ordain men. We have a surplus of priests and we are no longer allowed to minister to the middle class. The bishops do not have enough secular priests to put into those parishes. In addition, other religious orders are following the example of the Franciscans and are not putting men into parishes. I know that the SOLTs, Fr. Corapi’s community is putting all of their man power into preaching and the immigrants. The Franciscans of the Eternal Word are not allowed to serve in parishes or to ordain more than a small number. The Franciscans of the Renewal must leave any community that becomes middle class and find another poor community. The Franciscans of the Primitive Observance may never celebrate sacraments, even if they are ordained, except in cases of life and death or to help a sick priest or a poor parish on a Sunday. But they may never take on parishes. The Franciscans of the Eucharist have a freeze on ordaining anyone, as do the Franciscans of Peace, the Franciscans of Penance and the Franciscans of Life. The Capuchins, Conventuals and Franciscans of the Leonine Union have to reduce the number of parishes that they have to allow the friars to spend more time alone, in silence, community prayers, manual labor and in the service of immigrants, homeless, the unborn, and other vulnerable groups.

The Benedictines are pulling back to the monastery. The young monks are upset that they have to be in contact with the laity when Benedict clearly said that they should be enclosed. The abbots are reluctant to disobey their subordinates. They are not replacing the men that they had in parishes.

Dominicans and Jesuits are returning back tot he world of education and preaching, also to missionary work.

All of this return to the roots places a stress on the laity in parishes, but there is not much that we can do about it. It just was never God’s plan that religious men take up so many parishes. This was a big mistake that the bishops made during the 1900s. They asked the religious to take up these parishes and they opened more and more. Now, as the number of religious orders who are ordaining cuts back and the number of religious order priests in parishes climbs downward, the secular priests are stuck with such situations as two parishes 50 miles away.

This would never have happened if the bishops and the superiors of the Pre-Vatican II Church had complied with the wishes of the founders and not committed so many religious to parishes. The faithful would have been more mobile. But we spoiled everyone by giving them a parish around the corner. There are cities like NY where there is a parish every four blocks. That was insane. What were they thinking?!!

Ohe well, we can’t cry over that now. The bishops will just have to fix it, because the religious are leaving the parishes by the hundreds (hundreds of religious not hundreds of parishes). Those that are staying are not ordaining too many men. The superior are not giving the permissions. I have had to turn down many requests for Holy Orderrs from our brothers. We just don’t need that many priests and St. Francis would roll over in his grave if we ordained that many.

But I’m always glad for those dioceses and orders who can ordain.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[catharina]

Please don’t misunderstand my post. I too am happy whenever a man is ordained to the diaconate, priesthood or the episcopal order. I was just saying that it is not important if he has no children or 25.

I do understand the laity’s point of view on this subject. Trust me. My order has closed over 50 parishes, because we can no longer continue to ordain men. We have a surplus of priests and we are no longer allowed to minister to the middle class. The bishops do not have enough secular priests to put into those parishes. In addition, other religious orders are following the example of the Franciscans and are not putting men into parishes. I know that the SOLTs, Fr. Corapi’s community is putting all of their man power into preaching and the immigrants. The Franciscans of the Eternal Word are not allowed to serve in parishes or to ordain more than a small number. The Franciscans of the Renewal must leave any community that becomes middle class and find another poor community. The Franciscans of the Primitive Observance may never celebrate sacraments, even if they are ordained, except in cases of life and death or to help a sick priest or a poor parish on a Sunday. But they may never take on parishes. The Franciscans of the Eucharist have a freeze on ordaining anyone, as do the Franciscans of Peace, the Franciscans of Penance and the Franciscans of Life. The Capuchins, Conventuals and Franciscans of the Leonine Union have to reduce the number of parishes that they have to allow the friars to spend more time alone, in silence, community prayers, manual labor and in the service of immigrants, homeless, the unborn, and other vulnerable groups.

The Benedictines are pulling back to the monastery. The young monks are upset that they have to be in contact with the laity when Benedict clearly said that they should be enclosed. The abbots are reluctant to disobey their subordinates. They are not replacing the men that they had in parishes.

Dominicans and Jesuits are returning back tot he world of education and preaching, also to missionary work.

All of this return to the roots places a stress on the laity in parishes, but there is not much that we can do about it. It just was never God’s plan that religious men take up so many parishes. This was a big mistake that the bishops made during the 1900s. They asked the religious to take up these parishes and they opened more and more. Now, as the number of religious orders who are ordaining cuts back and the number of religious order priests in parishes climbs downward, the secular priests are stuck with such situations as two parishes 50 miles away.

This would never have happened if the bishops and the superiors of the Pre-Vatican II Church had complied with the wishes of the founders and not committed so many religious to parishes. The faithful would have been more mobile. But we spoiled everyone by giving them a parish around the corner. There are cities like NY where there is a parish every four blocks. That was insane. What were they thinking?!!

Ohe well, we can’t cry over that now. The bishops will just have to fix it, because the religious are leaving the parishes by the hundreds (hundreds of religious not hundreds of parishes). Those that are staying are not ordaining too many men. The superior are not giving the permissions. I have had to turn down many requests for Holy Orderrs from our brothers. We just don’t need that many priests and St. Francis would roll over in his grave if we ordained that many.

But I’m always glad for those dioceses and orders who can ordain.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Thank you, Brother, for that explanation.

 

[catharina]

Now I’m wondering what will become of big in-the-city parishes
like St. Peter’s in Chicago. It’s staffed by Franciscans.

 

[graceandglory]

I posted the story.
I did not write the headline.
I did not read the comments.

I posted a story re a Jewish boy who grew up and now is a Catholic priest.
I’m sorry you feel a need to “read” such negativity into a simple story.
That’s your right though. OTOH, you responses are a big surprise to me.
Whatever.

And it’s a beautiful, newsworthy story.
Don’t worry about the neigh-sayers.
No need to defend.
It’s a cool story!

Glory to God!