(Roman) Catholic priests in Australia are overworked and in increasingly short supply, and this has prompted some dioceses to recruit clergy from overseas. But how ethical is it to take priests from countries such as India, where they may be needed? Is it time for the Church to look at more radical solutions?
Earlier this year, the Vatican proclaimed June 2009 to June 2010 as a Year for Priests, during which time Catholics are encouraged to remember their priests through prayer, and to reflect on the role and function of the clergy. – David Rutledge (Encounter, ABC Radio National)
The Encounter program reflects on,
A problem that’s been troubling the Catholic church in the West for some years now: a drastic shortage of priests. Since around the mid-1970s there’s been a marked decline in vocations among young men, and while some say that things are improving, and that the crisis will pass, there’s no doubt that the church in the West currently has an ageing clergy, which is increasingly stressed from overwork and unable to provide the proper pastoral care that the job demands. In Australia, particularly in rural areas, priests often have to cover vast distances, and parishioners miss out on regular mass which for many is the most important aspect of Catholic life.
Full ABC Radio National Encounter interview with David Rutledge of 17 January 2010 available here.
- In what ways is the supply of Anglican clergy in Australia and in the State of Tasmania similar and dissimilar to the Roman Catholic Church?
- Should we seek assistance from overseas clergy?
- In what ways can we continue to encourage Anglican lay people to consider ordination?
As we have far too many RC priests we can do without recruiting more from other countries.
We do not want them propagating their false doctrines and certainly do not want them being recruited into our Protestant churches.
To the RCs we are heretics and put rather more diplomatically, “separated bretheren.”
Read the 39 articles of Religion.
Doesn’t “Justification by faith alone” mean anything anymore?
Dear David,
The aim of this blog article is to pose questions as to the ways in which the Anglican Church can encourage lay people to consider God’s call to ordination.
Yes, there continue to be not insignificant differences between our denominations but we also enjoy a great warmth of fellowship in Christ.
There has been very real progress in our fellowship over recent years resulting from theological engagement, shared outreach activities and healthy working and personal relationships at the parish, diocesan and national levels in Australia that are much valued by many of us.