COMMENTARY: Parish priests, after years of pointed criticisms from the Holy Father, will appreciate the kind words in his letter, but they might be less enthu.
While vocations to the priesthood and religious life have decreased overall, the Church shows signs of growth in some parts of the world most notably Africa and Asia.
A major vocation crisis could result in fewer than 10 active priests in the diocese in less than 20 years, according to the local ordinary, Bishop Larry Duffy.