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Church Struggles To Attract New Priests

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May 18, 2008 11:42 pm US/Eastern

Church Struggles To Attract New Priests

Reporting
Anne Marie Green
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― It was a bitter sweet day for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia as it ordained three new priests. The small class size emphasizes an important issue facing the church: the growing shortage of men entering priesthood.

The last time the Archdiocese had a class ordained in the double digits was the year 2000.

Since the 1970's, the number of priests have steadily declined from 59,000 in 1975 to 41,000 last year. Ordinations are also going down with 771 in 1975 and only 456 last year.

Still, Cardinal Rigali is not discouraged. He said, "Many people who were not sensitive to this issue before are sensitive. It's not bittersweet, it's part of a challenge."

Newly ordained Reverend Daniel Kredensor may serve to help others overcome that challenge.

Kredensor said, "Now, if we can be honest with them and bring them the truth that they've been waiting for and wanting will bring people back and we'll have more vocations for our church."

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