THE Netherlands has one priest abroad for every four at home, proportionately more missionaries, compared with the size of the popu!ution, than any other country.
This is shown in a report issued .1 the Vatican by the Sacred Conoegation for the Propagation of the • :tith. It states that the Netherlands as 2,137 missionaries abroad. The airliner has doubled in the last 20 ears: Proportionately. Ireland comes al. with one priest overseas for very five at home. Belgium is third, all one for every seven.
In numbers, France comes first, vith 3,382 missionaries, and then telgium with 2.280.
Ireland has shown the greatest inrease in the last 20 years, more than -ipling its numbers, Italy showed a light increase. from 1,250 to 1,300. `Inly Spain and Germany. both vainly owing to war, showed no increase.
The grand total of priests in the overseas missions is 12,977. The report says: "Without doubt there would he many more" if it were not for the Communists' invasions in China and Korea, which caused the capuision of 3,300 missionaries.