Report on Survey of 2004 Priestly Ordinations

this year's ordination class reflects older, more educated, more foreign-born men

Washington - The ordination class of 2004 reflects a trend toward older, more educated and more foreign-born men entering the priesthood in the United States.

Sociologist Dean R. Hoge, PhD., of the Catholic University of America Life Cycle Institute, identified the trend in his Report on Survey of 2004 Priestly Ordinations.

Hoge, who has examined data related to ordinations for several years, found "three changes in the ordinands since the research began in 1998."

"First, the average age at ordination rose from 34.8 to 37.0," he said. "Second, the level of education prior to entering the seminary rose. Whereas in 1998, 30 percent had less than a B.A. or B.S. degree, in the 2004 sample it was only 22 percent. Correspondingly, those who had received a master's degree or professional degree beyond the B.A. rose from 13 to 28. This is a notable change in only six years. Third, the percentage born outside the U.S. rose from 24 to 31 percent. The four principal countries of birth today (outside the United States) are Vietnam, Mexico, the Philippines, and Poland."

The study also noted that involvement in parish ministries, primarily as altar servers, lectors, and Eucharistic ministers, preceded the seminary for the vast majority of men.

There were 126 dioceses and 32 religious orders that provided 336 respondents to the survey by March 31. The survey contacted 194 dioceses and 59 religious orders of men.

The largest numbers of ordinations were in the Archdioceses of Chicago and Newark, which each ordained 14 men. The Archdiocese of New York ordained 13. The archdioceses are the third, ninth and second largest dioceses in the nation, respectively.

Some smaller archdioceses and dioceses marked a significant increase in numbers ordained. The Diocese of Allentown, Pennsylvania, ordained five men. They range in age from 29 to 54.

The Diocese of Columbus, Ohio, ordained six, the largest group in 20 years. The Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island, ordained seven, its largest number in ten years.

The Diocese of Buffalo, New York, ordained five men. The Archdiocese of Cincinnati ordained eight, the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois, the Diocese of Orlando, Florida, and the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis ordained six each; the Diocese of Venice, Florida, four, and the Archdiocese of Washington, eight, one less than last year.

The Newark Archdiocese exemplifies the increasing number of seminarians from other countries. Of the 14 men ordained for the diocese, 11 were born outside the United States, three in Poland, two in Africa, and one each in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Nicaragua, the Philippines and Singapore.

Over 50 percent of the seminarians attended Catholic schools and about 46 percent of the ordinands attended Catholic colleges. These percentages are much higher than the percentage of Catholics overall who attend Catholic schools and colleges. State college graduates also are among the ordinands.

Some in the ordination class grew up in other churches. Robert Conway, a businessman from the Diocese of Charlotte and a widower, was first a Quaker, then raised as a Methodist. After converting to Catholicism he was drawn to the priesthood as he saw his wife's parish community rally round her as she died of multiple sclerosis.

Three percent of the class is over 60 years old. Among them are two from the Diocese of St. Augustine, Joseph McDonnell and Richard Perko, both 62. Father McDonnell is an attorney; and Father Perko, a funeral director and embalmer. Patrick Forsythe, also over 60, was ordained for the Birmingham Diocese. He studied for the priesthood after 40 years in medicine.

Hoge noted that 12 percent of the class is Hispanic and 12 percent Asian or Pacific Islander, a figure higher than in recent years. He noted that a 1984 study of Catholic seminarians found that seven percent were Hispanic. Still, he added, the figure is lower than the percentage of Hispanics in the U.S. Catholic population today, estimated at 25-30 percent.

The 12 percent Asian or Pacific Islander rate is higher than the estimated two to three percent of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. Catholic population.

Only one percent of the class is African-American. African Americans are estimated to comprise two to three percent of Catholics in the United States.

Some in the class belonged to a religious order before studying for the priesthood.

While the average age for the ordinands is increasing, 49 percent were under 35, and 22 percent under 30.

The ordinands reveal a variety of professional backgrounds. Responding to a question about their full-time work experience, 20 percent cited the field of education. Seven percent were in church ministry; nine percent cited engineering and computer programming fields. Seven percent were in the military; four percent were in law.

Some of the seminarians are from the Neocatechumenal Way, a spiritual renewal movement which began in Spain in 1964, and has three seminaries in the United States - in Newark, Washington and Denver.

Bishop Blase Cupich, Interim Chair of the Bishops' Committee on Vocations, states: "The church, with both joy and gratitude, celebrates the ordinations of these men for priestly service. These men... reflect the richness of the church in our country. They are faithful, dedicated and committed men."

Reprinted with permission from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop.

New Ulm Journal