Within weeks after becoming rector, he entered into what he termed “a very challenging time” — a six-month period when revelations of clergy sexual abuse of minors became daily, international news.
He provides non-specific reassurance.
One of the things the seminary did, according to Fr. Witczak, was examine its admission criteria and procedures to ensure as much as possible that it did not admit men who had a proclivity for sexually abusing minors.
The number of seminarians is up, to 40. He attributes this to two factors.
“Partly it’s the legacy of Pope John Paul II — the fact that he was just so influential for people,” he said. “He provided a real model of priesthood. He was a spokesman for the church that was very attractive.”
Fr. Witczak said the increase can also be attributed to “a generational shift.”
“The generation coming up right now is attracted to priesthood. They are looking for something to die for, something that is so important it is worth spending their life on,” he said. “Priesthood, precisely because it involves celibacy and is so countercultural in so many ways is attractive to young people coming up today.”
Might have something to do with their lack of interest in MAPA, to date.
Nothing will change in this archdiocese over the next 10 or so years, even under Archbishop Dolan. He cannot change the priests he has, they will believe and do what they will. I have had a priest say to me,"I don't give a damn what the Church teaches." Okay, go with that. Only Jesus will change that mind.
ReplyDeleteSo our hope is with these new seminarians. A parish priest has tremendous influence over congregations. But it will be hard going for these new young priests to fight the women in power positions in the parish. Little by little though, these women will die off (sorry to sound so morbid). I guess I am saying we will win by attrition.
I feel certain that the Church will be much different for my children when they are raising my grandchildren.
If I'd just stuck to Sunday Mass, I'd find it hard to believe one of our priests said that. After having gotten more involved, it doesn't surprise me a bit. All the more reason to pray for them. Even if we assume they've got the motes and we've got the beams, they're no help with the beams if they're always scratching at their motes. That goes for the staffers, too.
ReplyDeleteI'm morbidly amused by the idea it's a power position to be director of something or other at one of our disintegrating parishes. Maybe some of our newer priests are setting their sights higher than presiding over the ruins.