Good News from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati
The June 28 issue of, 'The Catholic Telegraph,' the Archdiocese of Cincinnati newspaper, reported some very encouraging news in its article, "The Future of the Local Church."
The article focuses on a recent statement published by Cincinnati Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk lamenting the decline in the number of Catholic priests. Pilarczyk said, "It is important that the statement be made available to as many people as possible and that we get as much reaction to it as we can." Well......I'm certainly willing to help the archbishop on this point!!
Pilarczyk writes, "Here is the trend (for the archdiocese): In 1968, we had 435 diocesan priests serving in full-time ministry. In 1985, the number dropped to 339. In 1996, we were down to 244...Today we have 207. Only 19% of diocesan priests are under 50 years of age...One (study) predicts we will have 120 priests in 2020; the other predicts we will have 60."
His conclusion: "Fewer Masses will be celebrated." This should bring joy to the hearts of bible-believing Protestants in several ways:
1. Fewer Masses = fewer abominations. Jesus said from the cross in John 19:30, "IT IS FINISHED," whereas the Roman priest says it is not finished, and claims to daily renew this sacrifice in the abomination of the Mass.
2. Fewer priests = fewer children being sexually attacked.
3. Fewer priests = less Catholic bondage. May the Lord open the eyes of many Catholics to see that they can personally go to Jesus Christ and have their sins forgiven. That Roman priest sitting in the confessional on Saturday afternoons has no power to forgive sins.
Thank God for answered prayer. Let us daily in prayer continue to place the Roman Church in the hands of our Lord Jesus Christ, and have Him do with Rome what He sees fit.
The article focuses on a recent statement published by Cincinnati Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk lamenting the decline in the number of Catholic priests. Pilarczyk said, "It is important that the statement be made available to as many people as possible and that we get as much reaction to it as we can." Well......I'm certainly willing to help the archbishop on this point!!
Pilarczyk writes, "Here is the trend (for the archdiocese): In 1968, we had 435 diocesan priests serving in full-time ministry. In 1985, the number dropped to 339. In 1996, we were down to 244...Today we have 207. Only 19% of diocesan priests are under 50 years of age...One (study) predicts we will have 120 priests in 2020; the other predicts we will have 60."
His conclusion: "Fewer Masses will be celebrated." This should bring joy to the hearts of bible-believing Protestants in several ways:
1. Fewer Masses = fewer abominations. Jesus said from the cross in John 19:30, "IT IS FINISHED," whereas the Roman priest says it is not finished, and claims to daily renew this sacrifice in the abomination of the Mass.
2. Fewer priests = fewer children being sexually attacked.
3. Fewer priests = less Catholic bondage. May the Lord open the eyes of many Catholics to see that they can personally go to Jesus Christ and have their sins forgiven. That Roman priest sitting in the confessional on Saturday afternoons has no power to forgive sins.
Thank God for answered prayer. Let us daily in prayer continue to place the Roman Church in the hands of our Lord Jesus Christ, and have Him do with Rome what He sees fit.
posted by Robt. B. at 5:45 AM
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