A Catholic bishop has voiced sadness over the growing scarcity of priestly vocations, saying ordinations have become a ‘rare sight’ not only in his diocese but across the country.
Speaking before a packed congregation at the Cathedral-Shrine of the Good Shepherd in Quezon City, Bishop Roberto Gaa said the Church faces a serious shortage of men willing to dedicate their lives to the priesthood.
“Ordinations have become a rare sight not only in Novaliches but also in other places because no one wants to become a priest anymore,” Gaa, who also heads the CBCP Commission on Vocations, said in his homily. “It is difficult to be a priest.”
The bishop made the remarks as he ordained two new priests and two deacons in a Eucharistic celebration. The last priestly ordination in Novaliches was held about three years ago.
Gaa ordained Ramon Mikhail Paolo Nicdao and John Paul Adia to the priesthood, and Joshua Paul Sadernas and Michael George Villasis to the diaconate.
He said the shortage of priests has become a major pastoral challenge, with the diocese having only one priest for every 70,000 parishioners.
“We cannot minister to all of you,” he said. “But if we pray for more priests, more servants, then we can continue to share God’s graces with you.”
Recalling his years as a seminary formator, Gaa said many parents discouraged their children from entering the priesthood despite sensing their genuine spiritual calling.
“When we visited the homes of candidates for the seminary, some parents would slam their doors on us,” he said. “They would tell us, ‘After we’ve supported them through college, now you’re taking them away from us?’”
Despite the challenges, the bishop emphasized that “God’s grace is always sufficient” for those who respond to His call.
“We are imperfect and that is why we are for your prayers,” Gaa said. “We continually need the blessing of God for ourselves, for our ministry, and for our work in God’s vineyard.”
He appealed to the faithful to “pray for your priests” and “pray for new vocations even if the priesthood is difficult.”
The Novaliches diocese covers 73 parishes across northern Caloocan City and northern Quezon City, serving roughly 2.5 million Catholics.
