Secularism, materialism make vocations work a challenge, priest says

Published: 2005-10-03

TAMPA, Fla. (CNS) -- The environment for breeding vocations is not what it used to be. Catholic schools used to be feeder systems to the seminaries. Religious sisters used to be prominent fixtures in schools and parishes to offer words of encouragement and to plant the seeds of priestly vocations. The rise of secularism, materialism and careerism and a lack of commitment among young people do not generate vocations. Those ideas are not lost on vocation directors or the U.S. bishops, who have made the promotion of vocations one of the top three priorities in the Catholic Church, according to Father Edward J. Burns, executive director for vocations and priestly formation for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. "With today's secularization we don't have the feeder system we used to," Father Burns said Sept. 26 at the 42nd annual convention of the National Conference of Diocesan Vocations Directors. "The materialism of society fosters a lack of commitment among young people and a feeling to live life for one's self." Father Burns said the "live-for-self" agenda not only affects the priesthood but other service jobs, such as teaching and nursing, which also are suffering shortages. But the priesthood, he said, has a double whammy -- it is a life of service and a life of commitment.

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