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For Many Council Fathers Availability Of Clergy Is A Crucial Question The following article ana lyzes some aspects of the vital problem of the acute shortage of priests in many parts of the world, which is expected to come up for discussion some time at the Second Vatican Council after it reconvenes this September 29. The writer, one of the Church’s foremost experts in the field of popula tion studies, is a native of Ardmore, Pa., and a former faculty member of Loyola Col lege in Baltimore who is now a lecturer in demography at Fordham University, New York. A member of the select Inter national Union for the Scienti fic Study of Population, he has been a participant in the major international demographic con gresses of the past decade. He has written extensively on the problems of economic develop ment and pioneered in the as sembling of ecclesiastical sta tistics concerning Latin Ameri ca. By Father William J. Gibbons, S. J. (N.C.W.C. NEWS SERVICE) Availibility of clergy, to meet the Church’s pressing needs throughout the world, is a cru cial question in the minds of ^many bishops preparing for the second session of Vatican Coun cil II. For a shortage of priests, / Johnnie Ganem Steak Ranch CHARCOAL BROILED STEAKS PRIME STEAKS DINNERS-LUNCHEON COCKTAILS DINNER MUSIC Gaston and Habersham AD 3-3032 rHE^^ QtCantait MOTOR HOTEL • TV * AIR CONDITIONING • FAMOUS MIAMI BUFFET • ICE A BEVERAGE STATIONS • COFFEE MAKER, EACH ROOM LUCKIE AT CONE ST. A Good Address in Atlanta though not universal, is common enough to occasion concern. As successors to the Apos tles, the bishops are specially conscious of Christ’s depart ing mandate: “Go, make dis ciples of all peoples.’’ (Matt. 28, 19). This presupposes both a spreading of the Christian message and a deepening of the lives of the faithful everywhere, as the Church grows intensively and extensively. In the growth process, the priesthood, by divine ordi nance plays a vital role. Where worthy priests are lacking, or in short supply, growth slows down or comes to a halt. With the number of Catho lics on the increase, and with mission opportunities great as they are, the demands on bishops and major religious su periors for priestly manpower are incessant. Parishes must be staffed, administrative posts filled, missions and re treats conducted, teaching and writing accomplished, and so forth. The diocese or region well supplied with trained priests counts itself fortunate. The need for priests varies with the region. But need in itself ensures neither local supply nor availability from elsewhere. Hence, there arises a question of appropriate dis tribution, so that good use is made of the priests on hand, both secular and Religious. What follows attempts to point out more obvious pro blems and to review solu tions offered. But first let us look at certain facts. Looking at the world in en tirety, several things about re ligious commitment quickly be come evident. First is that Catholicism, and Christianity generally, accounts for appre ciably less than onehalf man kind’s numbers. In a world population of 3.2 billions (1963), approximately 570 millions are baptized Catholics. This is not quite one-fifth of the total. Adherents of Eastern Ortho doxy number perhaps 150 millions, although this figure may be low, since religious sta tistics in Iron Curtain coun tries are hard to check. The same can be said of statistics for other faiths. Protestant Christians number approxi mately 225 millions. However, the reported data often is re garded as incomplete. Thus, about 33 per cent, or one out of three persons, is Christian. That some baptized persons are backsliders, per haps even apostates, is well known. In Latin America, including the Caribbean and Mexico, bap tized Catholics number ap proximately 190 millions, out of a 210-million population. For every baptized Catholic in the United States and Canada, there are three in Latin America. Oceania, including Australia, New Zealand and lesser islands, St. James Standard Dress Now In Stock Mothers Are Invited To See Our Complete Fall Selections For Boys and Girls SALE! t & 10% DISCOUNT ON ALL GIRLS WINTER OVERCOATS FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST Charge and Lay-Away Accounts Invited OATS / dtad ft' AeuUe DeRENNE SHOPPING CENTER EL 5-6820 Savannah’s Only Discount House DIXIE FURNITURE MART / “Where Everybody Trades” 2517 Bull Street Savannah, Georgia Phone AD6-8616 has 3.2 million Catholics, out of a 16-million total. In Asia and Africa, however, where ap proximately one - half the world’s peoples reside, Catho lics numner 39 million and 27 million, respectively. Other Christians are not numerous either, although new churches are constantly built. This past winter, as the coun cil recessed, Catholic priests in the world totaled approxi mately 422,000, one for every 1,400 Catholics. These priests were scattered over five con tinents, not evenly in terms of numbers, and not in the same proportion to Catholics in each region. Throughout Europe the ap proximate number of baptized Catholics per priest is 900. In Ireland and Belgium, it is 550; in France and Italy, 800; in Spain, 900; in Austria, 960. Variations relate to cultural factors, educational oppor tunity, loss of male youths in war, and so forth. But in gen eral, Europe is well supplied with priests, compared with other continents. Thus, in Latin America, it is a fortunate diocese with only 1,500 Catholics per priest. Three thousand or more is com mon. And in Brazil the average is over 6,000, with only 11,600 priests serving a population of 74 millions, of whom 92 per cent are said to be Catholics. Chile is better off religiously, with an average of 2,900Catho lics per priest. Ecuador has 3,200, Argentina and Colom bia, 3,400 on the average. The islands of the Caribbean, however, have few priests and vocations, in relation to popu lation. They must lean heavily on outside help from Europe and North America. In the United States there now are approximately 57,000 priests and a Catholic popula tion of perhaps 48 millions ( annually reported figures can be regarded as incomplete). This means one priest per 850 Catholics, a situation com parable to France, Italy, Sapin. Even when non-Catholic popula tion is counted in, there are but 3,200 U. S. residents per priest. Canada is better off, with ont priest for each 600 Catholics and for 1,300 of total population. Not all dioceses in the United States are equally well served by resident priests. Thus, on the East Coast, where generally there are 800 or fewer Catho lics per priest, two large and rapidly growing dioceses are quite shorthanded. One has 1,200 Catholics per priest, the other 1,650. And several exten sive dioceses of the West and South have for years experien ced shortages to critical degree. Within the largely non- Christian regions of Africa and Asia, the ratio of Catholics to priests varies widely. Some ac tive areas may have 800 to 1,000 baptized persons per priest. But this low ratio should be weighed against extra bur dens imposed by convert- instruction and distances tra veled. The over-all average of reported Catholics per priest in Asia is 1,500, in Africa, 1,700. This compares unfavorable with the European and North Ameri can situation. Estimating availability of priestly manpower in terms of ratios admittedly is a tricky business. It does not take into account such relevant factors as population density, distances and terrain, living conditions, education and other needs. To level off all clergy, say at a world average of one priest per thousand Catholics, could be “robbing Peter to pay Paul.” In any case, there are not that many priests to start with. A favorable over-all ratio of 500 Catholics per priest would re quire a tripling of the present number of priests in the world. Like distributionist theories in economics, when not tem pered with realism about capi tal formation and local enter prise, a redistribution of clergy merely on a ratio basis could mean “spreading the poverty.” As regards availability of priests, “capital” and “local enterprise” imply native or lo cal vocations, plus their suit able training. Unless these eventuate, bringing in priests from outside on a continuing basis becomes an endless task, especially if population grows rapidly in the receiving area. ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY, Michael Ramsey and James Cardinal McGuigan, Archbishop of Toronto, met informally for ten minutes at the end of the World Anglican Congress held in Toronto, Canada.—(NC Photos) Anglicans Welcomed At Lourdes LOURDES, France, (NC)— “An historic occasion” bothfor the shrine of Lourdes and the Church of England was the des cription of Bishop Pierre Theas of Lourdes as he greeted An glican Bishop Wilfrid A. E. Westall, leading the first offi cial Anglican pilgrimage to the shrine. Dr. Westall, Suffragan Bishop of Crediton, Devonshire, led 57 persons on the plane trip from London. They heard Bi shop Theas speak of the desire of all Christians now for unity, and listened to him describe Laity Role— (Continued from Page 1) consists of doing what the laity are supposed to do in the world, as distinguished from what the clergy and Religious are sup posed to do.” “The profession of the cler gy,” Mis Hugenberg said, "in cludes the public worship of the Church, the administration of the sacraments, and the in struction of the faithful in gen eral matters of faith and mor als. "The profession of the laity, as far as the Church is con cerned, includes every other aspect of life through which the influence of the Church can make itself felt on society,” she said. And in the exercise of this role of professional lay people, she added, "the laity are independent of the clergy.” The professional lay person, according to Miss Hugenberg, can be trusted to fulfill his role properly "only if he has a pro per understanding of the Church’s place and mission in the world at large.” “And if the Church fails to be properly influential in any period of time or in any geo graphic area, in affairs out side the scope of religion, the failure is on the part of its lay membership,” she said. Where such failure is a pro duct of disinterest on the part of the laity, she commented, it may be traced to lack of pre paration in school. "If students during their edu cational experience are not giv en a realization of the roles they are expected to play as educated Catholics, or if they all ill-prepared to assume and execute these roles, there will be a natural carry over of their disinterest in the lay apostolate as adult Catholics,” Miss Hu genberg said. She emphasized the need for students to "give special study to the life and work of the Church” in addition to their preparation for the secular pro fessions. "College students have a spe cial obligation,” Miss Hugen berg declared, "to give them selves a preparation for the coming encounter, since it is expected that they will assume leadership in one way or another, either by helping to form public opinion or by rising to positions in which their de cisions will affect the policies, security and future of the na tion.” the shrine as dedicated to Mary, whom St. Augustine had called the Mother of Unity. A hall just outside the Lourdes sanctuaries was re served for the Anglican pilgri ms. They held their services there eacy day. Bishop Theas personally took the visitors on a tour of the grotto and baths. At the grotto the Anglican pilgrims knelt and joined in the Litany of Our Lady. Bishop Westall’s sister had visited Lourdes in 1930 and had been received into the Catholic Church there. She died at Abbe ville, France, on her return journey, accompanied by author Maisie Ward. Another personal connection with Lourdes for the Anglican prelate is a Lourdes rosary given to his mother by writer Maurice Baring. QUESTION BOX (Continued from Page 2) from his boyhood. Pius XII, who canonized Louis de Montfort in 1947, once stated that the force of the words in the handbook "have not only touched, but have captivated and converted many souls.” TRUE DEVOTION is not for everyone, as many commen tators have observed—at least it is not for everyone right away, before considerable self- crutiny and preparation of soul. BUT IT CAN be practiced in varying degrees and measures. For example, one theologian has suggested that it be tried by "truly pious and fervent souls, at first for a time, for one feast of the Blessed Mother to another, then for a year,” and eventually, if all goes well, for one’s entire life. ONE QUESTION often raised with respect to True Devotion is whether or not those who commit themselves to it remain free to formulate their own prayer intentions. ■ >-A SUCCINCT ANSWER was given by Father Joseph F. Beck man in the August, 1962 The Homiletic and Pastoral Re view: "We are not only free to do so; it is good and occasion ally necessary to pray for our own intentions, with a proper understanding of our depen dence upon Mary.” OR, AS St. Louis de Montfort put it: ‘‘This practice does not hinder us from praying for others whether dead or living, although the application of our good works depends on the will of our Blessed Lady. On the con trary, it is this very thing which will lead us to pray with more confidence. . .” ANYONE INTERESTED in St. Louis de Montfort’s way of life should read his True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The work is readily available at Catholic book and supply stores. Before implementing its proposals, one would do well to consult with a priest. The Southern Cross, September 5, 1963—PAGE 7 Anglican Congress Cites Importance Of Trained Laity TORONTO, (NC)—The im portance of a highly trained laity in the church was cited at the World Anglican Congress here. Canon F. C. Synge of Christ church College, Christchurch New Zealand, urged that lay men be permitted to perform the services of communion, baptism, marriage and burial. He said the shortage of An glican priests, especially in remote areas, means that many Anglicans must miss the eu- charist. Bishop A. M. Stockwood of Southwark, England, stressed the need for more active lay action. "My contention is” he said, "that if the Church is to influ ence society, our parishes must be honeycombed with groups of trained laity applying their Bib lical insights to contemporary happenings and creating an in formed Christian opinion which leads to action. "It is essential that from these groups should come men and women who will be pre pared, when trained, to play an active part in public life—in legislative assemblies, local councils or voluntary commit tees, trade unions, tenants’ as sociations and employers’ fed erations.” Rt. Rev. W. G. H. Simon of Llandaff, Wales, told the con gress that if Anglicanism is to take a lead in church unity it must first seek unity within it self and resolve its own pro blems. Bishop Simon asked the dele gates: ‘‘What are Christians outside the Anglican Com munion to make of a church whose members flatly contra dict one another in discussions on such questions as the nature of the Church, the ministry and the sacraments?” F or three hundred years the Church has held people of wide ly differing views, the Bishop said. Is this possible or tolera ble when the ecumenical move ment becomes more vigorous each day, he asked. The Welsh Bishop feared that Anglicanism in too many parts of the world tended to be iden tified with the "Establish ment.” This might arise from the official establishment of the Church of England in Eng land, he said. "In any consideration of the strategy of the Anglican Com munion,” Bishop Simon said, "it seems to me that the fact that, as things are at present, the appointment of bishops, the ways of worship, and even the moral discipline of Canterbury and York depend in the last re sort on a House of Commons which need not even be Chris tian, is one of primary impor tance.” It cannot be ignored, he said. "Were I the Anglican com mander-in-chief I should feel that until I had settled this problem any larger operation must have but a poor chance of succeeding,” Bishop Simon said. A statement entitled “Mutual Responsibility and Interdepen dence in the Body of Christ” was read to some 1,000 dele gates, bishops, clergy and lay men who are attending the con gress. The statement was pre pared by 18 primates, headed by the Archbishop of Canter bury, who met in London, Ont., just prior to the opening of the congress. MARRIAGES FULLER-YOUNG AUGUSTA—The marriage of Miss Mary Frances Young and Mr. Frederick Bodeker Fuller was solemnized on August 25th at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church. The service was per formed by the Rev. Bernard McWilliams. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Everett Young, Charlotte, N. C. The bridegroom’s parents are Mr. and Mrs. George Little Fuller, Augusta, Ga. For Wedding Invitations j£\ ✓ ' The Acme Press 1201 LINCOLN STREET PHONE 232 6397 DESBOUILLONS Savannah's sD , . I si yT' Leading / Bridal Store / SINCE 1870 AD 2-1145 126 E. Broughton St. Savannah, Georgia Bishop Stephen Bayne, exe cutive liaison officer of the world’s Anglican churches, said that while the statement dealt with reform within the Anglican Church itself, it could also be regarded as a further step in the ecumenical movement. The statement set aside the old concept of missionary churches. All churches now are equal. All should share equally in the Church's resources. The program outlined in the statement includes: —A comprehensive census of needs and resources and their distribution. "An increase of $15,000,000 in the next five years, in addi tion to the $50,000,000 budgeted for overseas work during that same period—to meet existing needs and commitments, parti cularly in Asia, Africa and La tin America. —Coordination and alloca tion of manpower on a world scale, which would help to re lieve the critical shortage of Anglican priests. Bishop Bayne said that this could mean that newly ordained Anglican priests would go to other countries for three years or so. Clergy from other continents would come to North America. —Extension of the executive officer system to all regional levels. The system is typified by Bishop Bayne, an American formerly of Seattle, Wash., who now works under the Archbishop of Canterbury in London, Eng land. Archbishop Michael Ramsey of Canterbury said the program could mean "the death of much that is familiar about our churches now. . .(and) the birth of entirely new relationships.” Bishop Bayne said that the chance of Protestant-Roman Catholic Church union "is mov ing ahead faster than most of us would have thought possible a short while ago.” First moves towards union between Anglican and other Protestant churches have al ready begun in various parts of the world and Bishop Bayne gave the following tentative un ion timetable: North America—"possible” within 10 years. West Pakistan—Union within Protestant churches next year. East Africa—Union "in not more than five years.” North India—Five years or more. Father Gregory Baum, O. S. A., a Catholic observer at the World Anglican Congress, told reporters that he was much impressed "by the openness and courage with which the pro blems of the Church are being discussed here.” The main con cern of the congress seemed to be the impact of the Church upon the world, he said. Father Baum, who is a mem ber of the Vatican Secretariat for Church Unity, commended the campaign to bring the Scrip tures to all people in their own languages. He said that in the different languages there are many translations "and it is my wish that soon a translation ac ceptable to both Catholics and Protestants will be commonly used.” q ty J \ > > JrradiaJtd Tllj8nfc’ U la nurtT) O JlnnetteA. Over 40 Years of Dependable Courteous Service SAVANNAH. GEORGIA EGYPT: WHERE MAN PROPOSES AND GOD DISPOSES THROUGHOUT HER HISTORY, EGYPT has inspired dreams of empire. Napoleon was one of its would-be conquerors who y. failed . . . But his soldiers found the st t/) * Rosetta Stone and his scientist, Champollion. deciphered this key to A* ancient hieroglyphics. Another im- O perialist. Disraeli, presented shares flHBp 3 in the Suez Canal to Queen Victoria ... English archeologists then went + ^ \ + to work there, opening the way to j further important discoveries. In 1 / this way much Bible history was 2* \ ! * verified . . . Both France and Eng land had to abandon their claims to The Holy Father's Mission Aid “the Gift of the Nile,” but even to- for the Oriental Chun/? day knowledge advances, God dis T posing where man once proposed hopefully but in vain ... At GHIZA in UPPER EGYPT, the Franciscans have a seminary for the training of students in COPTIC and LATIN rites. Twenty-eight young men study philosophy and theology in prep aration for the time when they will work among these people of long history . . . Once they were all united to Rome, but now most are separated. The students work and pray for the spirit of unity so much sought by the late Pope, John XXIII . . . But they have no chapel. Their seminary was never completed be cause of World War II. Now they are trying to raise $5,000 to finish it . . . Will you help? Any donation is welcome! MASS OFFERINGS At OXYRHYNCHUS (A real tongue-twister, isn’t it?) in EGYPT, some thousands of papyrus scrolls were found which included copies of the Greek Classics and sayings of Jesus. Because of this remarkable discovery—Catholic, Protestant and Jewish scholars have at last agreed on the exact meaning of Biblical words . . . Our work is chiefly in BIBLE LANDS where some 15,000 priests look to us for MASS STIPENDS. These are often a missionary’s only means of subsistence, so. please keep on sending them, won’t you? ST. PAUL TELLS US TO “have our conversation in Heaven” —that is, on heavenly things. This will be easy if you adopt a seminarian like LAWRENCE OLAKKENGAL or MATHEW PADAYATTY; or a Sister like SISTER MARINA or SISTER JOSEPHINA. You can tell your friends about the work of your “adopted” priest or nun in winning souls for Heaven. The cost: $150 a year for two years for a Sister’s education; $100 a year for six years for a seminarian. OUR MISSION CLUBS For a very small sum—$1 a month or only 3c a day—you can belong to one of our MISSION CLUBS. Can anything be ac complished for so little? Yes, wonders! □ DAMIEN LEPER CLUB cares for lepers □ ORPHAN’S BREAD feeds orphaned children □ PALACE OF GOLD provides for the aged □ THE BASILIANS supports Catholic schools □ THE MONICA GUILD chalices, altars, etc., for churches □ MARY’S BANK trains native Sisters □ CHRYSOSTOMS educates native seminarians. KINDLY REMEMBER US IN YOUR WILL. OUR LEGAL TITLE: THE CATHOLIC NEAR EAST WELFARE ASSOCA- TON. Membership: single person, $1 a year; family, $5; perma nent, single, $20; family, $100. Dear Monsignor Ryan: Enclosed please find for Name Street City Zone State f£i*)2car £ast (Missions r&i FRANCIS CARDINAL SPELLMAN, President Msgr. Joseph T. tycn, Not’l Sec’y Send all cornmnnioattons to: CATHOLIC NEAR EAST WELFARE ASSOCIATION 480 Lexington Ave. at 46th St. New York 17, N. Y.