Reflection 248                      Previous reflections                   Resolution                The 16 Documents of Vatican II 

Based on the Vatican 2 document:
On the Mission Activity of the Church
Ad Gentes  - 30, 31, 32

One point from these articles: when a mission area has its own local clergy, foreign institutes should hand over parishes to the local clergy
and then support the local clergy in special works (e.g. seminary and other formation courses)

In recent years, with the shortage of clergy, many dioceses are in-reverse of the above words: they are looking for institutes to take over parishes as local clergy numbers decline rapidly

And all the while, sitting "on the bench", "on the side-line", waiting for a call to take their place "on the field" are an immense number of deacons and lay people who would love to be ordained and look after a parish

In fact many priestless parishes now have a lay parish manager and/or lay pastoral worker who does everything except say Mass

The time has come for a new understanding of "hand over parishes":
Hand them over to competent deacons and lay people, after ordaining these as priests

Jesus, please move the hearts of the Pope and Curia to provide more pastors for your people