Us Apostolic Delegate on problems facing Church

A SHORTAGE of priests, the large size of Church communities and the treatment of racial and ethnic minorities are three major problems facing the American Catholic Church in the next few years, according to Archbishop Jean Jadot, Apostolic Delegate in the United States.
He made his comments in an unusually frank address to the general meeting of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington. Archbishop Jadot said the Church would face a severe priest shortage "at most within 10 years." Even if there was an Increase of vocations In the next few years as he expected, he said, "we must be prepared for a shortage of priests for a generation to come.
"Already there are parishes in which two priests are trying with the same pastoral approaches to do what four priests did a few years ago. .in some regions, priests are dying in the 50's from overwork. Others are chronically tired and frustrated because they cannot accomplish by themselves what several priests together accomplished in the past."
He went on: "There are solutions open to us if we are willing to set priorities; if we are willing to give greater responsibilities to the laity, both men and women; if we make more effective use of permanent deacons and extraordinary ministers."
Concerning the size of Catholic communities, Archbishop Jadot said: "People today, and especially young people, are searching for a group in
which they can find a true communion of faith, of worship, and of commitment. Many are suffering from a certain kind of loneliness. They experience a need for Identity with others who share their yearning for a more communal life.
"Church leaders will have to work with the laity to develop new patterns of parochial life and, perhaps, new forms of parochial organisation so that the parish can become 'a community of small communities.' "