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Priest numbers dropping off

PR dla Zagranicy
Jo Harper 30.06.2015 11:56
The number of priests is falling by an average of nine percent per year.
Photo: Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: Wikimedia Commons

Daily Rzeczpospolita reports that in 2014 there were 355 priests, down from 401 in 2013.

The Church is undertaking a special campaign to combat the decline, which some in the hierarchy believe is more a reflection of a demographic drop off in birth rates than a crisis of faith.

"Fewer pupils and students means that there will be fewer people coming to spiritual seminars,” spokesperson for the Wroclaw church, Priest Rafał Kowalski, said.

The Church is seeking to recruit more priests via various nationwide and social media campaigns, with the first step finishing in the middle of July.

A Youtube film, "The Promise,” prepared by clerics from Warsaw in April has had 64,000 clicks so far, while a similar film made by Wroclaw clerics has reportedly been seen by over 100,000.

"This is a modern way of making contact with young people who might be thinking of the church. Once it was leaflets, now it's Youtube,” spokesperson for the Warsaw church, Priest Przemysław Śliwiński, said. (jh)

Source: PAP

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