Can the declining number of priests and religious be made up for by expanding lay ministry?
• In a certain sense, yes, the expanding role of lay ministers has helped to make up for the decreased number of priests and religious. Many even view the reduced numbers of religious and priests as a grace which allowed the laity to take their rightful place in Church life. However, given the unique role of priests and religious, they cannot be replaced by lay ministers. It is not just a matter of function, e.g., only priests can celebrate the Eucharist and hear confessions, etc.; rather, it is a question of identity, the unique identity and witness which diocesan and religious priests, religious sisters and brothers, as well as members of secular institutes offer the Church and the world. We certainly need a sufficient number of ordained priests for the celebration of the sacraments, but also the Church would be diminished without the evangelical witness of religious and priests. • What is the difference between a religious order priest and a diocesan priest? • A religious order prie
Related Questions
- Do U.S. bishops, pastors, religious sisters or should be priests, religious and lay ecclesial ministers experience any difficulties or challenges in working with African priests and religious?
- HOW DOES LAY FORMATION DIFFER FROM THE FORMATION OF PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS?
- Where is there listing of priests of religious orders?
