I would be interested to know how it was determined if a Diocese could claim a retired priest.
Example: it is common enough that priests from the North and Midwest move to to warmer weather upon retirement. Their incardination remains in their home Diocese, they are listed as retired by the Office for Clergy, but in reality they live a semi-active retirement by helping on the weekends in parishes in Florida, The Carolinas, Texas, Arizona.
This would be an interesting follow-up because it would theoretically reveal a more accurate report on availability of sacraments geographically.
With increased life expectancy, a priest’s retirement can sometimes be like entering free agency. His home Diocese pays his pension, he gets to move somewhere with nice weather, meanwhile a Diocese with technically less incardinated priests on the books could be “veteran rich” by picking weekend help. The first diocese may have more retired guys, but less actually ministering locally. Meanwhile, the second may have less priests on the books, but the faithful might have more Sunday masses available.
I am not implying this is a bad phenomenon; I simply note it might be a thing to consider.
I would be curious to see what the numbers were before 1960s. It is known that these were the high water mark. While this doesn't alleviate the challenges diocese are facing now it does raise the question if we are experiencing true shortages or if we are simply returning to "normal" levels.
Interesting article. I would be eager to read a follow-up of interviews with priests and bishops (of various ages) giving their perspectives on the arc of active service through "retirement". Also: how about nuns? I'm old enough to remember them, and they were an important part of my formation.
Actually, thinking about this more, I would love a long form piece about the evolution of nuns'/sisters' roles in the Church, from a 30K foot perspective.
I would be interested to know how it was determined if a Diocese could claim a retired priest.
Example: it is common enough that priests from the North and Midwest move to to warmer weather upon retirement. Their incardination remains in their home Diocese, they are listed as retired by the Office for Clergy, but in reality they live a semi-active retirement by helping on the weekends in parishes in Florida, The Carolinas, Texas, Arizona.
This would be an interesting follow-up because it would theoretically reveal a more accurate report on availability of sacraments geographically.
With increased life expectancy, a priest’s retirement can sometimes be like entering free agency. His home Diocese pays his pension, he gets to move somewhere with nice weather, meanwhile a Diocese with technically less incardinated priests on the books could be “veteran rich” by picking weekend help. The first diocese may have more retired guys, but less actually ministering locally. Meanwhile, the second may have less priests on the books, but the faithful might have more Sunday masses available.
I am not implying this is a bad phenomenon; I simply note it might be a thing to consider.
I would be curious to see what the numbers were before 1960s. It is known that these were the high water mark. While this doesn't alleviate the challenges diocese are facing now it does raise the question if we are experiencing true shortages or if we are simply returning to "normal" levels.
Interesting article. I would be eager to read a follow-up of interviews with priests and bishops (of various ages) giving their perspectives on the arc of active service through "retirement". Also: how about nuns? I'm old enough to remember them, and they were an important part of my formation.
Actually, thinking about this more, I would love a long form piece about the evolution of nuns'/sisters' roles in the Church, from a 30K foot perspective.