Clergy Health Problems Connected to Priest Shortage
Episcopal News Service. October 3, 2000 [2000-153F]
(CNS) Roman Catholic Bishop James A. Griffin of Columbus, Ohio, says there is a direct link between priests' health problems and the shortage of clergy. He recently issued a new document called "Guidelines Regarding Expectations of the Priests and Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest."
"I believe the time has clearly come to prepare the clergy and faithful alike for a new approach, one which acknowledges that there will be times when, due to a lack of an available priest, there may be no Mass on Sunday in a given place," Griffin said.
He explained that there has been a steady decline not only in the number of diocesan priests but also in the number of "substitutes," typically retired priests, seminary professors, and chaplains.
Griffin's guidelines discuss ways to help priests be renewed by adequate opportunities for rest and study, and ways the laity can respond to situations when no priest is available.