MANILA, Philippines — With a large number of Roman Catholic priests approaching their “twilight years,” few young men are joining the vocation to replace them, posing an enormous challenge to the Church, according to the administrator of the Diocese of Parañaque and concurrently bishop of Cubao.
“We need young blood. We need young men to replace those who are already in their twilight years,” Bishop Elias Ayuban Jr. said during a mass at the Parañaque Cathedral marking the start of his ministry as apostolic administrator following the retirement of Bishop Jesse Mercado, who stepped down after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75 for bishops.
Ayuban said the diocese intends to organize a group of vocation promoters after after hearing concerns raised by diocesan priests regarding aging presbyterate.
He said fostering priestly and religious vocations is a responsibility of the entire Catholic community, and not just among bishops and priests.
He called on Catholics to remain united during the transition period as the diocese awaits the appointment of a new bishop.
“Our God is a God of communion, and we cannot give witness to a God of communion if we are divided, fragmented or separated from one another. Division is the work of the devil,” he added, warning that internal conflicts can weaken the Church’s evangelizing mission.
Ayuban urged priests, religious and lay faithful to work together in carrying out the Church’s mission.
“A diocese flourishes when we priests, consecrated persons and lay faithful work together in a spirit of shared mission. No bishop, priest or pastoral worker can carry the mission alone,” Ayuban said.
He also cautioned church leaders against becoming attached to positions of authority or personal recognition, saying ministry must remain centered on Christ and service to God’s people.
“If my treasure is my office, my position or my authority, then my ministry will ultimately serve only myself. But if my treasure is Christ and His people – the flock entrusted to my care – then my heart will remain where it should be,” he said.
Pope Leo XIV appointed Ayuban as Parañaque diocese’s apostolic administrator on June 6. He will be in charge of the diocese until a new bishop is named.