The Pillar occasionally posts good things of interest, depending on the writer. In this case, Luke Coppen, my former (excellent) editor at the UK’s Catholic Herald posts about priests. Some excerpts with some emphases and comments.
Study sheds light on generational divide among US priests
The National Study of Catholic Priests found younger clergy more likely to be theologically orthodox and politically moderate
[…]
The 2025 National Study of Catholic Priests, the results of which were released Oct. 14, found that younger clergy were more likely to describe themselves as theologically orthodox and politically moderate, to think access to the Traditional Latin Mass should be a priority, to feel lonely, and to believe they are expected to do too many things beyond their priestly calling. [Fr. McTeigue… paging Fr. McTeigue… please pick up a white Hospitality Phone…]
Younger priests were also less likely to think that synodality should be prioritized and less concerned about the question of women’s influence in the Church than their older peers, according to the study. [Not sure what that means. Perhaps they will spin it out.]
The 2025 report follows the groundbreaking 2022 National Study of Catholic Priests, the largest study of U.S. priests for more than 50 years, which concluded that clergy were largely flourishing, despite a deep mistrust of bishops and fears of being falsely accused of abuse. [Serious and real, given the massive evidence of how bishops have mistreated priests by not following procedures laid down in canon law and in many other ways. Priests are justified.]
Further analysis of the results in 2023 found that the share of new U.S. Catholic priests identifying as theologically “progressive” had declined dramatically compared with preceding generations. [There’s hope. This probably means also that the newer men are smarter.]
[…]
Some interesting stats between these chunks.
[…]
Only 11% of priests ordained before 1980 said access to the Traditional Latin Mass should be a priority, compared with 20% among those ordained between 1980 and 1999, and 39% among those ordained in the 21st century. [Factors. They didn’t grow up in the halcyon days of Vatican II’s “spirit” hurricaning through the Church. Now they have to remodel sanctuaries which were wreckovated. They grew up with good sense from and virility from John Paul II and theological and liturgical depth from Benedict. Vatican II was a long time ago for them.]
….
Younger priests were also more likely to cite Eucharistic devotion as a priority and less likely than older clergy to emphasize climate change, immigration, the LGBT community, poverty, racism, and social justice.
[…]
After this there are stats about “walking together” and about loneliness, and about what priests are called upon to do in view of possible burn out.
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I recommend reading “AA-1025 THE MEMOIRS OF AN ANTI-APOSTLE”
By Marie Carre.
It has to do with Communist plants in the Seminaries and what was the final results. Very appropriate with this post.
There is a new documentary called Birthgap by Stephen Shaw. The priesthood is also in a Birthgap. What is happening in the world has also happened in the Church. Linked I believe.
Fr. McTeigue is great to watch. We will remember you and him in our family rosary tonight.
If I could make it happen, I would like to one day have a Mass said in the Fort Gary hotel, Winnipeg.
Loneliness and sterility, emptiness and strife was planned by the evil one.
“despite a deep mistrust of bishops and fears of being falsely accused of abuse.” I would anticipate that the younger priests are more concerned than the older ones, likely along the same percentages as the TLM question. Why? Because the folks in the pews don’t like being told that everything that their predecessor, Fr. Wannabeliked said was ok was/is not really ok. And that a “properly formed conscience” does not mean that my spouse and I agree that it’s ok. And they have found that many if not most bishops (and especially the vicars) assume a guilty until proven innocent posture and regardless, the young whippersnapper will never be returned here even if he is allowed to return to ministry. This is why the work of https://menofmelchizedek.org/ is so important.
I took a look at the document, and found it a bit superficial and too general. It is interesting, but since they took the time to do the survey, I hope next time they can do it a bit more in depth.
” The young experience a restlessness that above all is to be accepted, respected and accompanied, with utter confidence in their freedom and responsibility. The Church knows from experience that their contribution is fundamental for renewal. Young people, in some respects, can be a step ahead of their pastors. On Easter morning the young Beloved Disciple arrived first at the tomb, before Peter, who was weighed down by age and by betrayal (cf. Jn 20:1-10); in the same way in the Christian community youthful dynamism is a renewing energy for the Church, because it helps her to shake off anything weighing her down or holding her back, so as to be open to the Risen Lord.”
– Final Document from the 2018 Synod of Bishops, paragraph 66.
“Through the holiness of the young, the Church can renew her spiritual ardour and her apostolic vigour. The balsam of holiness generated by the good lives of so many young people can heal the wounds of the Church and of the world, bringing us back to that fullness of love to which we have always been called: the young saints inspire us to return to our first love (cf. Rev 2:4).”
ibid.: concluding paragraph.
“Non conor creare mirabilia
Sed dico de generatione mea” – Quid
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My pastor is 41 years old and he has been the pastor of my parish and our sister parish for the last 7 years. He describes himself as a product of the St. JPII generation, and is joyfully faithful.
My parish is Novus Ordo, and happily so. I feel completely happy to be part of it. I tried attending a local TLM some time ago, and without going into details, it was not pleasant for me. But I certainly do not begrudge my fellow Catholics who have a preference for the TLM any more than I would resent Eastern Rite Catholics who attend Divine Liturgy. We are members of the vast family that is the Catholic Church, and we should welcome, respect, and love one another.
That said, one of the Masses at our sister parish is TLM, approved by our good Bishop Malesic of Cleveland. A couple of months ago, the ushers of that Mass put together a letter for His Excellency, thanking him for his consideration in providing them with a parish home, and asking him to please continue to permit them to remain in peace, intending for the TLM parishioners to sign. I was volunteering in the parish office (which is shared with our sister parish) when they asked me to make copies. I asked if I could sign, too, and they were happy to permit me to do so. Mine was the first signature, in red ink!
My pastor wholeheartedly approves of our TLM community and has supported them from day one – along with us who love and are part of the Novus Ordo community. I am encouraged by the mutual respect and courtesy we offer to one another and to the Forms of Mass our fellow parishioners prefer. We are most definitely on friendly and loving terms.
BTW – His Excellency responded with his warmest blessings to our brother and sister parishioners, our extended family. And our pastor – who does not celebrate the TLM, but who strongly supports his parishioners – is delighted they will remain for the foreseeable future.
May it be the same for other parishes.
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