Priest Increase of 180% Since Diocese of Camden Began in 1937.

This should put in perspective the spin Galante, McGrath, vollmer, and Walton are putting on things. This crisis isn't about any of their stated reasons. They clearly have another agenda. Here's what was submitted to me today, by email.


Interesting statistics on the history of the Diocese of Camden:

When the Diocese was formed in 1937, there were already 80
parishes or mission churches, which were served by 75 diocesan
priests and 11 religious priests or 1.075 priests per parish
or mission. There was not a single Catholic human services
institution, even though there was a much greater need than
today. And yet the Diocese grew at a phenomenal rate.

By contrast, today, according to the Diocesan website we have
241 priests serving in the diocese (including 43 religious order
and 26 extern priests) or 1.944 priests per parish (not
considering the 13 diocesan priests serving outside the diocese,
plus around 100 retired priests, many of whom are still somewhat
active). And yet Bishop Galante is saying there is a priest
shortage and the diocese cannot staff today's 124 parishes.  

That means that since 1937, the number of parishes or missions
have increased by 55% (from 80 to 124), while the number of
priests has increased by 180% (from 86 to 241) and
somehow Bishop Galante is claiming a priest shortage as one of
the reasons for closing parishes. Even if the 51 priests they
project might die or retire by 2015 do, in fact, die or retire
by that date and even if there are no new ordinations between]
now and then, the priest/parish or mission ratio would still
go from 1.075 in 1937 to 1.532 in 2015, a more than 50% increase.  

The bottom line is we do not have a priest shortage and we will
not have a priest shortage in 2015 unless Bishop Galante
continues getting rid of priests and driving away potential
seminarians, which he seems determined to do.  

"Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of
My pasture!" says the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord God of
Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: "You have
scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them.
Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings," says
the Lord. "But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of
all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to
their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. I will
set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall
fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking,"
says the Lord. Jeremiah 23:1-4

Let us pray fervently:
"Save Your people, and bless Your inheritance; 
Shepherd them also, and bear them up forever." Psalm 28:9