Italy sees drop in native priests but increase in foreign clergy

Italy sees drop in native priests but increase in foreign clergy Seminarians from the Pontifical North American College attend a Mass in St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. Photo CNS.

New data released by the Church in Italy highlights what has been a concerning trend among Catholic leaders in the country for decades: namely, a drop in the number of local priests and an increase in the average age of Italy’s clerics. However, this data also found that while there are less men joining the…

Click here to subscribe