No. of priest worldwide?

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Linhares

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Was reading a post on CAF, where someone mentioned that there is a fall in the no. of priest worldwide. So i decided to do my own research on the topic. But I’m not able to understand if there actually is a shortage of priest or no (worldwide)! Coz there are way to many contradicting articles on Google, CAF, etc.

Can someone please help.

P.S: I’m referring to No. of Catholic priest.
 
There are definitely regional shortages. It seems like, out of the 3,160 ecclesial jurisdictions around the world we could, in theory, share priests from one diocese to another across the world, there would be no shortage. But that is a very uninformed and superficial observation from myself who has no knowledge of the matter which I’m sure is rather complex.

To sum it up, I would say a shortage of priests is basically a regional phenomenon. Overall, we’re not doing too bad. Africa and Asia(?) have plenty of men being ordained. Europe is now the mission territory, it seems.
 
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You also have to look at how priests are perceived culturally in their area.

In some places, the priest commands a lot of respect, is one of the more educated people, stands up for the people against adversity. In some areas, the priesthood could allow a young man to travel or have opportunities that he wouldn’t otherwise have.

In the US right now, many people are just as educated as the priest, they can travel and find good opportunities on their own, and priests are fighting a stereotype of bring gay and/or molesters. Plus people have all kinds of negative impressions of celibacy. The work load is high and the pay is low and it could be very lonely. So there’s not much motivation to be a priest unless someone loves God so much and feels such a strong call that they are willing to make a lot of sacrifices.
 
Parts of Latin America are especially hard hit. In my wife’s native Dominican Republic, I believe the ratio is about one priest per ten thousand faithful. Those numbers make the US and Canada look pretty good.
 
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