What do you think could be the reason/s behind CBCP's lament re: the shortage of priests nowadays?

Althea Gonzales, Laguna: Why is the CBCP worried about the shortage of priests in the Philippines? Jesus began his ministry with a dozen apostles but their ranks swelled.  

Benjamin Nillo, Las Piñas City: With the fact that some priests are publicly misbehaving nowadays, priesthood has become increasingly unpopular among younger Filipinos.  

Priests get involved in politics

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: In my opinion, this shortage is brought about by some priests going into politics, priests just doing administrative work without parishes, priests who are sent outside the Philippines as missionaries (let’s bring them back), priests that are busy managing schools, etc.  

Rico Fabello, Parañaque City: Shortage? That’s inevitable. Some priests are using the church as a stepping stone to politics.  

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: No wonder, because we have the likes of Bishop Cruz and militant priests who always spew venom against the government.  

Dianne Aquino, Caloocan City: The involvement of priests and the church in government and political matters somehow turns off some people against entering the priesthood.  

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: I think the CBCP regrets that the priesthood no longer appeals to young men, perhaps due to the church’s meddling in politics and scandals.  

Nick Ocampo, Angeles City: People realize that today, most priests are involved in politics. Priests love to stay in government halls more than in churches.  

Luisito Vallo, Pangasinan: It could be a case of losing faith in the CBCP’s leadership. As they meddle in the affairs of the government and not purely on spiritual matters, young men shy away from the vocation.  

Alvin Padual, Quezon City: I believe that the reason for the shortage of priests nowadays is the bad image of priests interfering in political affairs.  

A. Competente, Laguna: Some priests spread hatred in their sermon. Others use the church in their campaign for government office.  

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: Many parents no longer encourage their sons to enter the seminary, realizing that priesthood has been diluted with radical and political concepts.  

Many are called but few are chosen

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: Entering priesthood is not a choice; it’s a calling. An individual will feel the call in his heart if he loves doing apostolate work. St. Francis of Assisi felt and did it and turned away from secular activities and did not mind temporal needs, yet he could not explain why. Made by choice, it can hardly work; as a calling, it will be fruitful because the Holy Spirit dwells in the heart of the priest. The church must pray by heart to get an answered prayer.  

Dennis Acop, Baguio City: The priesthood is a unique calling and not all have what it takes to become a priest. Jesus Himself said so. My youngest answered the invitation from their school priest to spend a few days at their school’s seminary out in the province to see if the possibility of joining the priesthood is there. I even visited my son while he was there temporarily. My son is a good kid but he said priesthood may not be for him. I told him that if ever he decided to become one, I will not be a hindrance. There is too much wickedness in today’s world, which is all the more reason we should have enough priests. Let us pray there are enough young men out there who are willing to take it upon themselves to carry the torch forward.  

Vic Sanchez, Pasig City: My only son entered the seminary after his elementary education. If I remember right, there were 69 pupils in their high school class. Only 29 finished their high school studies and many of them did not enter the seminary for college education. Others opted for other courses and degrees. My son was one of those who entered the seminary to study philosophy and theology for eventual priesthood. However, he was not able to complete his studies because, like any ordinary mortal, he quit and married a girl he met while teaching at a computer school. Now, instead of having a priestson, I have two grandchildren. Many strive to become a priest but very few make it. This reminds me of what our Lord Jesus Christ said, “Many are called, but few are chosen.” It’s very difficult to become a priest because of the hardships you will encounter in studying and it is equally difficult to remain a priest because of the vow of celibacy. This, I believe is the reason for the shortage of priests.  

Other sects offer better incentives

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: The shortage of priests is obviously caused by the mushrooming Born Again, Christian, exINC, Protestant sects in RP. These copycats give better incentives to their pastors or ministers by imposing tithes on their members. My friend Pastor Vic rides a Honda CRV, drives a Toyota Altis, and lives in San Lorenzo. Many pastors own SUVs, while my friend Fr. Larry Faraon tools around in an old Toyota FX. Magpapari ka pa ba, bro?  

Priesthood is no longer appealing

Juan Deveraturda, Subic, Zambales: Priesthood has lost its attraction, meaning, and relevance. The reason is clear. When Catholic priests and bishops act and behave like they are politicos with messianic complex, the people would naturally feel disgruntled, discouraged, and disappointed. People do not want to be a part of an unworthy cause.  

J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Parañaque City: Nobody wants to be a priest nowadays but everyone wants to go to heaven. Anyway, being one is not a guarantee you will go to heaven.  

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: Priesthood is like getting a doctorate degree  it’s too tedious. It’s not like other Praise the Lord movements; maboka ka lang, instant pari ka na.  

Erwin Espinosa, Pangasinan: Many Filipino Catholics do not find priesthood as saintly as before. Many priests nowadays do not practice what they preach. Namumulitika pa.  

Rose Leobrera, Manila: It’s not just priests that are dwindling in number; it’s the nuns as well. What can we do? The Catholic religion is just too easy and lenient in its teaching. It doesn’t even penetrate deeply into our hearts and soul. During the homily, only a few priests have responsive listeners. Why are there only a few who enter the priesthood? It’s also because the outside world is just not easy to resist. With the beauty of the outside world, magpapari ka pa ba?   

L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: The siren call of the world has become so irresistible that less young men are attracted to the priesthood, while those in the service get distracted by politics.  

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: The Catholic Church is losing its appeal. Many bishops and priests can’t focus on religious work to serve as role model and attract aspirants for priesthood.  

The flock is dwindling, too

Ed Alawi, Davao City: I think it is the diminishing number of parishioners; some parishioners may be joining other religions. That worries the CBCP.  

Elpidio Que, Vigan: The CBCP should not lament the dwindling number of priests. Aside from a number of priests violating in brazen fashion their vow of celibacy, many of them are corruptible. Also, within the ranks of the CBCP are wimp ignoramuses who fail to heed the sayings “The only thing necessary for evil to live is for good men to do nothing” and “Dissent without action is consent” of Edmund Burke and Henry Thoreau, respectively, with some even getting corrupted to serve as “high priests” of the object of hatred in the country. Anyway, what’s the big deal? The number of Church believers nowadays is dwindling in direct proportion to that of priests. Hence, there should be no shortage of priests.  

Rey Onate, Palayan City: Living a celibate life is no longer appealing, coupled with the lukewarm devotion of a number of Pinoy Catholics towards their religion.  

Josh Pacatang, Dipolog City :I think Roman Catholic bishops in the Philippines now lament the shortage of priests because the CBCP’s policies are archaic and are still pagan and superstitious, contrary to the modern trends in education. As the living standards of families reach decent levels, their sons would not go to the seminaries or monasteries, but to dancing schools or general education colleges.  

Financial reasons

Col. Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City: It must be the long years of study and expenses involved that only welltodo families can afford, although sons of poor families are willing to become a priest.  

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: I believe the reason for this is financial. In the past, it was the parish priest that kept and controlled mass collections and other payments for church services, such as marriage, baptism, death and other services. These revenues were for the personal and monthly maintenance of the priest. Projects and improvements of the church were through donations for a specific purpose. Currently, it is the Pastoral Council controlling all church revenues and the parish priest is only like an employee with a monthly salary or allowance. Thus, we can imagine how many priests are still dependent on their parents. They cannot afford to help in sending their brothers or sisters to school. In a situation like this, how will parents be encouraged to allow their son to enter the seminary?  

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: It’s tedious and expensive. It also entails a lot of sacrifice to become a priest. Plus, there’s the population explosion.  

Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila: One possible reason is economics as many young men, mostly coming from poor families, dream of becoming priests, but can’t even afford high school seminary. Another is lack of discipline and morality of young seminarians as many failed, left, or were kicked out, and only very few graduated. I wonder if the CBCP, in cooperation with private sponsors or multinational companies, can establish seminaries that will start at the elementary level with full scholarships.  

The vow of celibacy

Voz Butuyan, Pangasinan: Celibacy as an imposition on priests goes against the law of nature!  

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: To become a priest, they have to live within the walls of the seminary for nine years studying Theology. They are celibates and must abstain from sex.  

Chris Navaro, Las Piñas City: Allow priests to get married. Besides, a lot of priests are now engaged in relationships. Let’s not be hypocrites. There is no verse in the Bible prohibiting priests to get married. It is just an order from the Vatican that can be revoked anytime.  

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: Fewer are entering priesthood for men today don’t want to be celibate.  

Eduardo Yumul, Metro Manila: The vow of celibacy. Look at all the scandals in the church. All the Apostles of Jesus were married men.  

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: Celibacy may be the prime reason for the shortage of priests. Nature made man to procreate; celibacy is against the law of nature. This must be why priests have been involved in sexual controversies since time immemorial. Rizal wrote of Padre Damaso and other priests who sired many offspring in Noli Me Tangere. If the church doesn’t change its policies, the continuance of Catholicism may be put in peril.  

Cris Rivera, Rizal: It can be attributed to some priests who suppressed their moral and sexual purity to satisfy their sexual urge. They practice not what they preach.  

Felix Ramento, Manila: One reason could be celibacy. Allow Catholic priests to marry and raise their own family and their number will increase.  

Bax Cadiogan, Metro Manila: The spirit may be willing, but the flesh is weak.  

Eufrocino Linsangan, Isabela: Every man dreams of having a family of his own, for it’s lonely out there without a wife and children. Because the Catholic church prohibits their priests to marry, Filipino men today don’t consider entering the priesthood, thus we see the shortage of priests.  

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: With aggressive women in numbers, the call of the flesh can be so unnerving for a young man to look for his calling! With the tube and print media aggravating their dilemma by showing women in various degrees of nudity in the guise of entertainment, no mortal can be celibate for long. Also, allowing men and women to administer priestly works dilute the problem at hand. Last but not the least, urging young people to join the priesthood seems to no longer be a top priority of the church. It’s is now politics, all in the guise of having the upperhand in morality.  

The world is less spiritual nowadays

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: Unfortunately, this world is less spiritually inclined, so that plays a big role in the shortage of priests nowadays.  

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: The shortage of priests is due to the fact that man has grown to be more mundane and materialistic. Modern technology has made God seem passé.  

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: Out of 10 high school graduates, it’s luck if one of them wants to enter priesthood. I guess it’s not only because of the expenses.  

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: It’s the irresistible materialism of the modern era that lessens attraction to the priesthood among young people. Such reality even leads many priests to abandon their vows in favor of mundane calling. The spirit may be willing but the flesh is weak. The Catholic Church must innovate in convincing more young people to embrace the priesthood as a noble mission with more relevance in shaping souls’ destiny in life and beyond.

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: One day, the Catholic Church would be surprised to see many vacant pews and fewer parishioners attending mass. Same with other religious groups. There are no less than 30 different Christian churches in RP separated by differences in opinion and doctrines, the root cause of which is greed. Many believers appear spell bound whenever their charismatic pastors or ministers speak, spewing hollow promises of spiritual salvation. They have yet to see the truth.  

The standards are too high

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: There are economic, intellectual and moral reasons. Economic, because the priestly vocation is an expensive education that some cannot afford it. Intellectual, because the education requires an aboveaverage mental intelligence and some cannot hurdle the tough educational standards. Moral, because some simply find it hard to avoid temptation.  

The bishops are to blame

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: The shortage of priests is indeed alarming. But can we blame our youth for shying away from priesthood due to what they see from our bishops? Dahil sa kanila nawalaan na ng paggalang ang kabataan sa kaparian. CBCP and the bishops themselves should be blamed.  

Joel Caluag, Bulacan: The CBCP should ask itself why. Some bishops’ and priests’ behavior does not encourage the faithful to take the vocation.  

Calata, Parañaque City: The answer is in the question itself, ano pa? The shortage is entering a critical level. In a seminary I know very well, Filipino seminarians are outnumbered by those from other countries, like Indonesia, Korea, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, etc. Why so? Well, that’s another question that should be answered and the reasons are, in my mind, many.  Ishmael  

Quality, not quantity

Eric Gopilan, Quezon City: We don’t need quantity of priests at this time. What this country needs is a quality of priests that will guide us spiritually.  

An outgrown congregation

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: The congregation has outgrown the number of priests. Lay ministers, who could perform only none sacramental rites, are helpless to augment and fill the void.  

Felmar Rowell Singco, Northern Samar: The reason behind the CBCP’s concern over the shortage of priests nowadays is that it is increasingly becoming real, and is not just a specter beyond the horizon, but is affecting the logistics and economics of the work and labor of the church. The church needs young men and women for its work, and without these young men and women, it may dangerously wither away.  

The Church has its share of scandals

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: I think the CBCP realizes that the priesthood no longer draws in young men as the church meddles in politics and has its share of scandals.  

Jojo Ocampo, Puerto Princesa City: Why should young men join the priesthood to serve God in a church that is far from God?  

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