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| Significant Points |
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- Preparation generally requires 8 years of study
beyond high school, usually including a college degree followed
by 4 or more years of theology study at a seminary.
- The shortage of Roman Catholic priests is
expected to continue, resulting in a very favorable outlook.
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| Nature of the Work |
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Priests in the Catholic Church may be categorized as either diocesan
or religious. Both types of priests have the same priesthood
faculties, acquired through ordination by a bishop. Differences lie
in their way of life, type of work, and the Church authority to
which they are responsible. Diocesan priests commit their
lives to serving the people of a diocese, a church administrative
region, and generally work in parishes, schools, or other Catholic
institutions as assigned by the bishop of their diocese. Diocesan
priests take oaths of celibacy and obedience. Religious priests
belong to a religious order, such as the Jesuits, Dominicans, or
Franciscans. Religious priests take vows of poverty, celibacy and
obedience.
Diocesan priests attend to the spiritual,
pastoral, moral, and educational needs of the members of their
church. A priest’s day usually begins with morning meditation and
mass and may end with an individual counseling session or an evening
visit to a hospital or home. Many priests direct and serve on church
committees, work in civic and charitable organizations, and assist
in community projects. Some counsel parishioners preparing for
marriage or the birth of a child.
Religious priests receive duty assignments from
their superiors in their respective religious orders. Some religious
priests specialize in teaching, whereas others serve as missionaries
in foreign countries, where they may live under difficult and
primitive conditions. Other religious priests live a communal life
in monasteries, where they devote their lives to prayer, study, and
assigned work.
Both religious and diocesan priests hold teaching
and administrative posts in Catholic seminaries, colleges and
universities, and high schools. Priests attached to religious orders
staff many of the Church’s institutions of higher education and
many high schools, whereas diocesan priests usually are concerned
with the parochial schools attached to parish churches and with
diocesan high schools. Members of religious orders do much of the
missionary work conducted by the Catholic Church in this country and
abroad.
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| Employment |
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According to The Official Catholic Directory, there were
approximately 45,000 priests in 2000; about 30,000 were diocesan
priests. Priests are found in nearly every city and town and in many
rural communities; however, the majority is in metropolitan areas,
where most Catholics reside.
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| Training, Other
Qualifications, and Advancement |
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Men exclusively are ordained as priests. Women may serve in church
positions that do not require priestly ordination. Preparation for
the priesthood generally requires 8 years of study beyond high
school, usually including a college degree followed by 4 or more
years of theology study at a seminary.
Preparatory study for the priesthood may begin in
the first year of high school, at the college level, or in
theological seminaries after college graduation. Nine high-school
seminary programs(five free-standing high school seminaries and four
programs within Catholic high schools(provided a college preparatory
program in 2000. Programs emphasize and support religious formation
in addition to a regular, college-preparatory curriculum. Latin may
be required, and modern languages are encouraged. In Hispanic
communities, knowledge of Spanish is mandatory.
Those who begin training for the priesthood in
college do so in one of 42 priesthood formation programs offered
either through Catholic colleges or universities or in freestanding
college seminaries. Preparatory studies usually include training in
philosophy, religious studies, and prayer.
Today, most candidates for the priesthood have a
4-year degree from an accredited college or university, then attend
one of 46 theological seminaries (also called theologates) and earn
either the Master of Divinity or the Master of Arts degree.
Thirty-four theologates primarily train diocesan priests, whereas 12
theologates provide information mostly for priesthood candidates
from religious orders. (Slight variations in training reflect the
differences in their expected duties.) Theology coursework includes
sacred scripture; dogmatic, moral, and pastoral theology; homiletics
(art of preaching); church history; liturgy (sacraments); and canon
(church) law. Fieldwork experience usually is required.
Young men are never denied entry into seminaries
because of lack of funds. In seminaries for diocesan priests,
scholarships or loans are available, and contributions of
benefactors and the Catholic Church finance those in religious
seminaries—who have taken a vow of poverty and are not expected to
have personal resources.
Graduate work in theology beyond that required for
ordination also is offered at a number of American Catholic
universities or at ecclesiastical universities around the world,
particularly in Rome. Also, many priests do graduate work in fields
unrelated to theology. Priests are encouraged by the Catholic Church
to continue their studies, at least informally, after ordination. In
recent years, the Church has stressed continuing education for
ordained priests in the social sciences, such as sociology and
psychology.
A newly ordained diocesan priest usually works as
an assistant pastor. Newly ordained priests of religious orders are
assigned to the specialized duties for which they have been trained.
Depending on the talents, interests, and experience of the
individual, many opportunities for additional responsibility exist
within the Church.
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| Job Outlook |
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The shortage of Roman Catholic priests is expected to continue,
resulting in a very favorable job outlook through the year 2010.
Many priests will be needed in the years ahead to provide for the
spiritual, educational, and social needs of the increasing number of
Catholics. In recent years, the number of ordained priests has been
insufficient to fill the needs of newly established parishes and
other Catholic institutions and to replace priests who retire, die,
or leave the priesthood. This situation is likely to continue, as
seminary enrollments remain below the levels needed to overcome the
current shortfall of priests.
In response to the shortage of priests, permanent
deacons and teams of clergy and laity increasingly are performing
certain traditional functions within the Catholic Church. The number
of ordained deacons has increased 30 percent over the past 20 years,
and this trend should continue. Throughout most of the country,
permanent deacons have been ordained to preach and perform
liturgical functions, such as baptisms, marriages, and funerals, and
to provide service to the community. Deacons are not authorized to
celebrate Mass, nor are they allowed to administer the Sacraments of
Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick. Teams of clergy and
laity undertake some liturgical and nonliturgical functions, such as
hospital visits and religious teaching.
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| Earnings |
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Salaries of diocesan priests vary from diocese to diocese. According
to a biennial survey of the National Federation of Priests’
Council, low-end salaries averaged $12,936 per year in 1999;
high-end salaries averaged $15,483 per year. In addition to a
salary, diocesan priests receive a package of benefits that may
include a car allowance, room and board in the parish rectory,
health insurance, and a retirement plan.
Diocesan priests who do special work related to
the church, such as teaching, usually receive a salary which is less
than a lay person in the same position would receive. The difference
between the usual salary for these jobs and the salary that the
priest receives is called “contributed service.” In some
situations, housing and related expenses may be provided; in other
cases, the priest must make his own arrangements. Some priests doing
special work receive the same compensation that a lay person would
receive.
Religious priests take a vow of poverty and are
supported by their religious order. Any personal earnings are given
to the order. Their vow of poverty is recognized by the Internal
Revenue Service, which exempts them from paying Federal income tax.
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Information Contained in this report is from the Bureau
of Labor Statistics an agency within the U.S.
Department of Labor.
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The USCCB 2003 Source Book notes
that in the United States, there are:
-- 65,270,444 Catholics (23% of the U.S. population);
-- 45,713 priests;
-- 4,719 seminarians;
-- 13,764 permanent deacons;
-- 75,500 religious sisters and 5,690 religious brothers.
Church Growing Everywhere Except Europe
Ranks of Priests Up; Women Religious Down
ROME, OCT. 23, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Catholics are increasing in number in all continents except Europe, according to new Church data. According to data taken from the latest edition of the Church's statistical yearbook, as of year-end 2003, baptized Catholics increased by 0.3%, and now comprise 17.23% of the world's population. The data were reported by Fides, an agency of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, on the occasion of World Mission Sunday. The data also reflect a slight increase in the number of priests, a decrease in the number of women religious, and a sizable growth of lay missionaries and catechists. The number of Catholics grew by over 15 million, totaling more than 1.085 billion worldwide. The number of Catholics increased in Africa by 0.34%, America by 0.17%, Asia by 0.03% and Oceania by 0.37%. Europe decreased by 0.31%. The number of persons per priest in the world increased by 156 (the overall ratio was 12,264 to 1). By continent, the numbers were as follows: increase in America (+63) and Europe (+57) and Oceania (+13); decrease in Africa (-409) and Asia (-450). The number of Catholics per priest in the world increased by 35 (the overall ratio was 2,677 to 1). By continent: increase in America (+51) and Europe (+12), in Africa (+29), Oceania (+13); Asia same as last year (average 2,407 Catholics per priest). The number of ecclesiastical circumscriptions increased by 10, to 2,893, with increases on every continent. Mission stations with resident priests numbered 1,701 (272 more than the previous year) with an increase on every continent, except Africa. Mission stations without a resident priest increased by 3,068 units, to 112,115. Increases were registered in Africa (+416), America (+4,553) end Europe (+4), decrease in Asia (-1,710) and Oceania (-195). Bishops The number of bishops in the world increased by 47, to 4,742. The numbers increased on every continent, markedly in Europe (+23). Diocesan bishops numbered 2,597 (928 fewer than the previous year), religious bishops increased by 975, to 2,145. Diocesan bishops increased in Africa but decreased in Europe (-615) and America (-249), religious bishops increased on all continents, markedly in Europe (+638) and America (+ 256) The total number of priests in the world increased by 392, to 405,450. The highest increases were in Africa (+1,145) and Asia (+1,010). Only Europe posted a loss (-1,897). Diocesan priests increased by 707, with increases on all continents except Europe, which lost 1,021. Religious priests decreased by 315. The only continent with an increase was Asia (+447). Permanent deacons increased by 1,427, to 31,524. The biggest increases were in the Americas (+1,075) and Europe (+336). Only Asia showed a decrease (-3). Permanent diocesan deacons numbered 31,000, up 1,499, with increases on all continents. Religious permanent deacons numbered 524, down 72 the previous year. Only Oceania posted an increase (+1). Brothers decreased by 208, to 54,620. Increases were seen in Africa (+231) and Asia (+327); decreases were reported in Europe (-309), the Americas (-394) and Oceania (-63). Women religious The number of women religious fell 6,663, to 776,269. Decreases were reported in Europe (-9.397), the Americas (-2.843) and Oceania (-297); increases were seen in Asia (+3,445) and Africa (+2,429). The members of male secular institutes totaled 691, an overall increase of 121 compared with the previous year. All continents posted a rise. Members of female secular institutes also increased, by 720, to a total of 28,916. Only one continent, Asia, saw a decrease (-41). The number of lay missionaries increased by 28,586, to 172,331, with increases on all continents. Most lay missionaries are in the Americas (156,461); their ranks there rose by 21,815. Catechists in the world increased by 80,222, to 2,847,673. Increases were posted on all continents, notably in the Americas (+53,675) and Europe (+15,672). Seminarians The number of major seminarians, diocesan and religious, decreased by 826, to a total of 112,373. Overall increases were posted in Asia (+686) and Oceania (+9). Diocesan major seminarians fell by 711, to 72,266; and religious seminarians fell by 115, to 40,107. Both categories decreased in Africa, the Americas and Europe; but increased in Asia. In Oceania, diocesan seminarians increased and religious seminarians decreased. Minor seminarians, diocesan and religious, increased by 1,411, to 98,372. Increases were posted only in Europe (+84) and Oceania (+57). Minor diocesan seminarians fell by 1,081, to 75,562; religious fell by 330, to 22,810. Both categories decreased in Africa and the Americas. Asia showed an decrease in diocesan and increase in religious. Europe saw an increase in diocesan seminarians, and a decrease in religious. Oceania showed an increase in both categories.
Numbers of
Seminarians Rise Even as Ranks of Priests Fall
Women Religious Also Decrease in 1978-2001 Period
ROME, MAY 11, 2003 (Zenit.org).- Over a
23-year period the number of priests in the world decreased, while the
number of seminarians increased.
This is the conclusion of a study by Father Vito Magno of the vocational
review Rogate. The study compared the data of the Church's Statistical
Yearbook from 1978 with December 2001.
In 1978, the total of diocesan and religious priests was 420,000; at the
end of 2001 their number had dropped to 405,067.
The decrease is due above all to the reduced number of religious-order
priests, especially in Europe, North America and Oceania, in whose
countries the average age of priests has also increased.
The decrease is in contrast to the increase in the number of priests in
Africa, Asia and some Latin American countries.
The number of permanent deacons increased to 29,204 from 5,562. This
ministry was re-established in the Catholic Church with the Second Vatican
Council.
The decrease in the number of priests is in contrast to the increase in
the number of seminarians, which has almost doubled. In 1978, there were
63,882 candidates to the priesthood, compared with 112,244 at the end of
2001.
Over the past quarter-century, particularly in Africa, the number of
seminarians has multiplied by four and in Asia by five. In Europe, the
number has increased to 25,908 at present from 23,915 in 1978.
The study revealed a more complicated situation in regard to women
religious. In 1978, they numbered 990,768; now they total 792,317.
As opposed to the case of seminarians, there is no significant growth in
the number of women entering novitiates. In this case also, the most
notable decrease has been registered in Europe, North America and Oceania.
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