Catholic men who plan to become priests later this year tend to be younger than average and say their parents often influence their decision to pursue the profession, according to a new study.
Last Monday, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops released the results of a study commissioned by Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. It investigated the backgrounds of approximately 400 men scheduled for ordination to the priesthood. The survey had a margin of error of +/- 2.7 percentage points, based on responses collected from his January 10th to his March 10th from 392 men scheduled to be ordained later this year.
The median age of respondents who plan to be ordained as parish priests later this year is 31, meaning half are between 26 and 31 and the other half are between 31 and 67. Priests who are to be ordained to the parish priesthood to serve as parish priests are younger than the average age of 33 years for ordained parish priests.
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Since 1999, the average age of men planning to become parish priests has ranged from 32 to 37 years. On the other hand, men who are destined to become religious priests are slightly older than parish priests. The average age in 2024 was 36 years old, and the median age was 35 years old. Since 1999, the average age of an ordained person who plans to become a religious priest has ranged from 35 years old to 41 years old.
Another result of the survey revealed that 95% of clergy were raised by their biological parents. When asked to name the person who influenced their decision to become a priest, 32% of respondents named their mother as the person who encouraged them to pursue the profession, and 23% named their father. I mentioned your name. Among all respondents, mothers and fathers were the most cited influences behind the decision to pursue a religious life.
Among those planning to become parish priests, 35% cited their mothers as an influence behind their decision, and 25% cited their fathers as a source of encouragement when discerning their vocation. Among those ordained to the parish priesthood, mothers and fathers were the fourth and sixth most cited influences, while among those ordained to the religious priesthood, the person who encouraged them to pursue their vocation Far fewer cited their parents as such.
20% of monks said their mother encouraged them to become a priest, and 17% said the same about their father. Sources of encouragement more frequently cited among this group of clergy include parish priests (42%), friends (40%), religious and priests (37%), and fellow parishioners (28%). Campus pastors and school pastors (23%) were included. , teachers and catechists (22%), religious sisters (22%), and grandparents (20%).
In contrast, among parish clergy, only the parish priest (68%), fellow parishioners (44%), and friends (42%) were more common sources of influence than mothers, with teachers and Directors (26%) were listed more often than fathers in this group, although less frequently than mothers.
These numbers closely reflect statistics regarding sources of influence across respondents, with parish priests (63%), friends (41%), and parishioners (41%) making up the top three, and teachers and catechists (25%) came in third place. Top 5.
Bishop Earl Boea of ​​the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lansing, who chairs the USCCB’s Commission on Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations, which commissioned the study, said the findings regarding the role of parents in influencing their children’s faith: responded with a statement. “Mothers and fathers united in marriage are the first witnesses of love to their children. It is in the family that children are taught the faith, learn the meaning of love, and grow in virtue.”
“This year’s ordination study highlights the fundamental role that families play in society. [particular] Parents, play to build the kingdom of God. “Through the love and support of their families, children grow into the men and women God wants them to be,” he added.
Although more respondents cited their parents as a source of encouragement rather than discouraging one’s vocation, 13% of clergy surveyed said their mothers encouraged them to pursue the priesthood. 12% said the same about their father. Among those laid on hands ready to become parish priests, 11% cited their mothers and a further 11% cited their fathers as a source of discouragement, while a slightly higher proportion of religious ordained men cited their mothers (20 %) and fathers (17%).
Twenty percent of all respondents, 18% of diocesan priests, and 31% of religious priests cited a friend or schoolmate as someone who discouraged them from joining the priesthood. Meanwhile, family members other than parents were identified as expressing disappointment by 20% of all respondents, 17% of parish priests, and 32% of monks.
Ryan Foley is a reporter for The Christian Post. Contact him at: ryan.foley@christianpost.com
