Statistics About Pastors

[Diaconia]

There are two reasons:

The primary one is that of financial resources. Americans have more money to devote to the diaconate (formation programs, use of seminaries), as well as diaconal candidates tend to come from larger, richer parishes. The candidates themselves (since most are volunteer who have secular jobs) also tend to have financial resources and career types that allow the flexibility needed for the ministry.

As a side note Americans have more per-capita resources for Church needs than other countries. Higher priest density, far more Tribunal judges, and the like. In neighboring Mexico, time waiting for an annulment is so long (often ~ four to five years!) that most people don’t pursue them.

The second, smaller, (yet related) reason is that of American spirit/attitude: “The Church needs more help, and I’m just the man to do it,” kind of thinking.

• Many deacons entertained the priesthood when they were younger, and often wanted to serve the Church even when they were children. Later in life, their careers and families were established and so provided the environment in which they could [finally] see to that desire: “Even though I didn’t become a priest, I can become a deacon; helping in a smaller, yet substantial, way.” Entering into the beauty of life that comes from receiving two sacraments of vocation - Matrimony and Holy Orders.

Incidentally, a couple of prelates, I believe, are worried that the Amazon Synod entertaining the possibility of ordaining viri probati, would lead to the widespread embracement of married priests — with Americans leading the charge. As such, they are already writing against the idea before it had even been discussed at the synod. Criticizing the Supreme Pontiff for even wanting to discuss it.

Priestly and Religious vocations continue to decline steeply, while diaconal vocations continue to climb. Married clerics are already here in the diaconate, and if married priests were further allowed — Americans would respond with gusto, leading the charge throughout the Catholic world.

Many fear this, some long for it, and others see it as inevitable: when/if it occurs, Americans would respond quickly and in large number.

Deacon Christopher

 

[GiftofMercy]

Jesus made manifest in the preaching of the Word, and Jesus made manifest in the Lord’s Supper (celebrated weekly here)

This is the same in the Catholic Church, we do know Jesus is present in four ways in the Catholic Mass, the 4 ways Jesus is present in the Mass are:

1. in the Blessed Sacrament
2. within the priest/presider especially when in persona Christi as in the Eucharistic Prayer
3. within the proclamation of Sacred Scripture especially the Gospels.
4. within the faithful who are gathered and assembled for the liturgical celebration and as such are living out the Body of Christ.

And Catholics are expected to have full and active participation in the Mass. In the entire Liturgical Celebration, from the Entrance hymn through to the Recessional Hymn
Full and Active Participation doesn’t mean some form of Catholic Ministering roles as in Choir, EMHC, etc, but in our role as fully present and contributing in the Mass.