Seminarians numbers up 73 percent under John Paul II, Vatican says.

The number of seminarians worldwide has grown 73 percent under Pope John Paul II"s pontificate, with the greatest increase in Africa and Asia.

The statistic was one of several released Feb. 9 when the latest Vatican yearbook or " annuario " was presented to the Pope.

The Vatican said the number of seminarians has increased from about 64,000 in 1978 to more than 110,500 in 2000, a rise of 73.1 percent. The greatest increase came in Africa, where the number of seminarians more than tripled; Asia followed with a increase of 125 percent; the Americas showed an increase of 65 percent; and Europes increase was 12 percent.

Thanks to men like Jeffrey.

God bless you.

David S

-- David S (asdzxc8176@aol.com), February 24, 2002

Answers

Please pray for vocations.

-- David S (asdzxc8176@aol.com), February 24, 2002.

David

The K of C has former members who are in the ranks of priest today. i have seen and been amazed at where we see the new priests we are seeing are coming from. They have not increased the fold but have added some of the best to their ranks. I had the pleasure of meetig a new priest in my former parish who is a 58 yr old grandfather who became a widower. He gave up everything he had and became an excellent priest and he in his first Homily even told us his children though surprised at his choice were very supportive of him. Good men all of them.

-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), February 25, 2002.

OOPS

They have not increased the fold but have added some of the best to their ranks. A typo on my part: I meant to say: They have not ONLY increased the fold, but have added some of the best to their ranks.

That should clear that up--Sorry for the confusion.

-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), February 25, 2002.

Fred,

58 is young in todays world. I know the Padre Pio foundation helps older men that have had the calling later in life.(www.padrepio.com) God bless you. David S

-- David S (asdzxc8176@aol.com), February 25, 2002.

David B. They arn't dwindling anymore. We are on the way in the right direction now. God bless you. David S

-- David (Asdzxc8176@aol.com), March 30, 2002.