The Priest Shortage

Often when you lose something, you look in the obvious places, but rarely does someone look in the obscure place at the first. We tend to think of what is the easiest location before we seek out the more hidden spots. The problem, of course, is that when you lose something it is lost precisely because it is not in the open and obvious location (duh!).

This is true with explanations as well. The obvious explanation for things is not always the best (Occam's razor aside). Sometimes we have to look a bit deeper to find a clearer explantion. Take, for example, the "priest shortage" of our day and age. Much has been done to create interest in the priesthood; which presumes that lack of interest is the actual cause (or at least one of them). We will not delve into the problem of modernizing the priesthood, but that is certainly a major factor in creating a disinterest in young men pursuing vocations as well (along with a host of other modernist practices in the Mass).

There is one factor that does not seem to have been mentioned (at least not to my knowledge). The shortage of children is directly related to the shortage of priests. If the average Catholic family a couple centuries ago would have 8 to 10 children, then there were more boys being brought to Church; and thus more young men who were serving as altar boys, and more available to choose the priesthood. If Catholic families today are averaging closer to 2 to 3 children, then that means less boys are being brought to Church. This is impacted even more by the fact that parents are not disciplining very well, so most boys leave the Church (at least in heart) by the time they are in their early teens (lack of discipline always leads to loss of faith).

Hence, along with many other modernist mistakes, fewer children, and less discipline has a major influence in this "priest shortage". In other words, parents, be faithful. Be open to life, in the way that the Church has always said. Be open to godly and Catholic parenting, in the way that the Church has always said. The result will be a faithful growing Church, and the clear glory of God.