Pope Francis outlines the world of the religious, nuns, and monks with stern tones, noting that it is often marked by 'negative experiences, conflicts or fruits that seem to be delayed', to the point of transforming the consecrated into 'bitter and embittered' people. Disappointed people who show 'the dark face and weigh down the air'. Certainly not very attractive to capture new vocations and give new life to a sector that is seriously worrying.
At the Mass of February 2 for the 28th day of consecrated life, Francis did not skimp on criticisms or suggestions: 'We must then recover the lost grace: return, through an intense inner life, to the spirit of joyful humility, of silent gratitude. And this is nourished with adoration, with the work of knees and heart, with concrete prayer that fights and intercedes, capable of awakening the desire for God, the love of old, the wonder of the first day, the taste of waiting'. The invitation itself does not seem so easy given the times marked by a vertical collapse of vocations, to the point of having forced the closure of many religious orders or the merger of several realities, also so as not to disperse a tradition and often an important real estate heritage acquired over the years. What will it be for the future?
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The decline in vocations crosses the life of the Church now not only in the West being a constant of the last decades almost everywhere due to the poor attractiveness of religious life on young people and rampant secularization. The phenomenon therefore seems irreversible.
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From the data of the Fides Agency released at the end of 2023, it appears that the total number of priests in the world has decreased, reaching 407,872 (-2,347). Marking a significant decrease once again is Europe (-3,632) to which is added America (-963). Increases are recorded in Africa (+1,518), in Asia (+719) and in Oceania (+11). The diocesan priests in the world have decreased globally by 911 units, reaching the number of 279,610. The religious priests have decreased in total by 1,436 units and are 128,262. The permanent deacons in the world, on the other hand, continue to increase, in 2023 by 541 units, reaching the number of 49,176. Increases have occurred on all continents: Africa (+59), America (+147), Asia (+58), Europe (+268) and Oceania (+9).
The religious have decreased by 795 units, reaching the number of 49,774. Decreases are recorded in America (-311), in Europe (-599) and in Oceania (-115). Increases in Africa (+205) and in Asia (+25). The trend towards the global decrease of religious women has been confirmed for some time, reaching the figure of less 10,588 units compared to the previous annual survey. The nuns are a total of 608,958. Increases are recorded, once again, in Africa (+2,275) and in Asia (+366), decreases in Europe (-7,804), America (-5,185) and Oceania (-240).
Church, fewer priests and nuns: Europe the most affected by the vocational crisis
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