Latest news with #ordination
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Diocese of Erie welcomes two newly ordained priests
The Diocese of Erie ordained two men into the sacred priesthood Friday night at Saint Peter Cathedral. The two new priests are Reverend Brandon Matthew Feikels, who is a 2017 graduate of Gannon University and Reverend Michael Christopher Scanga, who also graduated from Gannon University. Bishop of Erie, Reverend Lawrence Persicio, said this is the moment they officially become priests. 'So, it's important because they receive the sacrament of ordination and it enables them to work and take care of things as a priest,' he said. Bishop Persico said the two new priests will eventually receive their assignments from him. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
17-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Pope Leo XIV takes helm of Catholic Church amid a priest shortage in the U.S.
Will American pope spark new interest in the priesthood as church faces shortage? Columbus, Ohio — At St. Joseph Cathedral in Columbus, Ohio, being on the altar feels momentous for Joseph Rolwing. He's 27 years old and a Catholic deacon, who is set to be ordained as a Catholic priest on Saturday. Rolwing studied at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus. It is the only seminary outside of Italy that is governed by the Vatican. "I was a normal high schooler, played sports, did it all," Rolwing said. "I never thought that I would be doing this. But the Lord had other plans." In high school he began questioning his faith. Then in college, he felt the call. "'Did you hear a voice? Did you see a sign in the sky?' No, but I was…praying, this rosary overwhelmed with this wave of peace," Rolwing said. Rolwing's calling comes as the Catholic Church in the U.S. faces a serious priest shortage. Between 1970 and 2024, the number of priests fell by more than 40%, from 59,192 to 33,589, according to numbers from Georgetown's Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, or CARA. The impact has also been felt in Columbus, where 15 churches are slated to close. "We've kind of made up for some gaps in the priest shortage by bringing in missionary priests from other countries, but also priests from different religious orders," said Bishop Earl Fernandes, who leads the Columbus Diocese. About one in four Catholic priests in the U.S. is foreign-born, according to CARA. Under President Trump's immigration crackdown, many could soon be forced to leave unless special visas for religious workers are extended. New bipartisan legislation was introduced in the Senate last month, known as the Religious Workforce Protection Act, designed to protect foreign-born religious workers from deportation. To recruit more priests in Columbus, there are retreats and monthly dinners for those considering the priesthood. The number of new seminarians at Pontifical College has grown from 17, two-and-a-half years ago, to 40 this year. Local Catholic leaders hope the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first ever American pope, will serve as an inspiration. "I have never been happier than I am right now, on the cusp of becoming a priest, having made all of these promises: never get married, and never to do these things, it doesn't make any sense in the eyes of the world," Rolwing said. "But I've answered this call, and by far, it's the best decision I've ever made."
Sky News
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Conclave writer says debate over women priests will be 'big issue' for new pope
The writer of Conclave has said he believes the role of women in the Catholic Church will be a "big issue" for the next pope. Robert Harris, whose papal novel became a hit film, said the approach of Francis 's successor would be crucial and was a "profoundly political moment for the world". Speaking on The News Hour with Mark Austin, he said he had been struck by how the gospels' teachings, such as the "necessity to get rid of all worldly wealth", appeared at odds with the grandeur associated with the papacy. "When I compared that to the reality of the Vatican, it's hard not to be struck by the contrast," he said. "And in particular, in the 21st century, can it really be the case that Christ did not intend half the world's population to play a full role in spreading his word?" "I don't see how this cannot be the issue facing the church over the next few years," Harris added. "The Jewish faith has female rabbis, the Anglicans have female bishops; can it really be the case that Roman Catholics cannot allow the ordination of women? "Maybe they won't - but I cannot help but believe it will be a big issue," said Harris. Catholicism does not allow women to become priests - a principle confirmed by Pope John Paul II in 1994 when he said the church had "no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women". 1:27 Harris said he had deliberately included the pivotal character of Sister Agnes in his story to "give some voice to these women" - who otherwise are shown looking after the cardinals during conclave. The secretive process to elect a new pope begins for real in the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday when 133 cardinals begin the first round of voting amid tight security. All eyes will be on the lookout for the white smoke that signals they have reached a decision. The author, a former political journalist, told Sky News his research for the book included speaking to a cardinal who had taken part in the conclave. He said the protocols portrayed by the likes of Ralph Fiennes in the movie were all true to life and set out by the Vatican. However, he added: "I'm dramatising something, trying to make it entertaining, so I doubt whether the conclave will be so full of skulduggery as the novel and film." 0:50 Harris said the election of the new pope - which requires a two-thirds majority - made it a political as well as spiritual exercise for the cardinals. He agreed the battle is likely to be between traditionalist cardinals and those who want to continue Francis's more informal, progressive approach. Harris said the first South American pope "put a lot of noses out of joint in the grander bureaucracy of the church". "Francis really laid down a marker to the old guard," he told Sky News. "He didn't move into the papal apartments, he refused the elaborate papal cars - he wanted a little ordinary car to go around in; he used to dine in the cafeteria at nights with the nuns who run the Casa Santa Marta." If Francis's successor reverts to convention and moves back into the Apostolic Palace, Harris said it would be an "indication of the direction the new pope will take the church". Among the favourites to lead the world's 1.4 billion Catholics is Luis Tagle, a cardinal who could become the first Asian pope, and who has been likened to Pope Francis. Two Italians are also strong contenders: Archbishop of Bologna, Matteo Zuppi, and the so-called "deputy pope" Pietro Parolin. Harris said whatever approach the new pontiff takes - whether a liberal interpretation or more conservative - would have a real impact on some of today's most contentious issues, such as assisted dying for example. "These crucial political decisions are greatly affected by the Roman Catholic Church," said Harris. "The church is an immensely wealthy, powerful institution that reaches into all areas of society, whether you're Catholic or not. So this is a profoundly political moment for the world."
