Q: In Europe, and in other countries and regions, it seems that we are going through what some call a winter of priestly vocations. How do you see the recovery?
Cardinal Herranz: There is a colorful Italian expression that might be useful to clarify the situation: “a macchia di leopardo.” The spots on the skin of a leopard describe phenomena differentiated in the geography of a country or a region. This is the case with this topic. In Europe, some countries have suffered a genuine winter of religious persecution and of de-humanization of society under Marxism, and now they enjoy a splendid springtime of young men who feel Christ’s call to the priesthood. In other nations — such as Poland — even under that persecution abundant priestly vocations arose.
As I mentioned earlier in regard to man’s frailty in face of pleasure, the welfare society in other European or American countries, with more comforts, also makes the decision to follow Jesus more difficult, as happened to the rich young man who rejected the invitation to give himself completely. Yet even so, Christ attracts and the Holy Spirit awakens desires of total self-giving to God, of spiritual paternity, of evangelization to take the light of the Risen One to the world, to live not to be served, but to serve everyone.
In countries or dioceses that had many priests before — such as Spain — after a notable decrease, we can now see an improvement in quality and quantity of vocations.
Very interesting and generally encouraging reading from the elderly cardinal (who apparently has worn a red hat for 50 years). It was great to read that in his home diocese of Cordoba in Spain 120 of the 284 priests are under the age of 40. Wow, that’s certainly not the case everywhere, but it’s still a hopeful sign that such places do exist.
I also particularly liked the cardinal’s emphasis on reviving the sacrament of reconciliation (confession). We Anglicans have a tradtional saying about that much maligned and misunderstood sacrament. I’m so very glad that the 1979 BCP introduced rites for that valuable practice, for the first (I believe) in an official BCP.
Anyway, that traditional saying attirbuted to “Good Queen Bess” (Elizabeth I) goes, “[i]All may (go to confession). None must. Some should![/i]”
Personally, I like to modify that slightly. In the Handy New Revised Standard Version, the saying goes:
[b]”All may. None must. MORE should.”[/b]
David Handy+