Owensboro, June 8, 2020: About 15 years ago, with the Catholic diocese of Owensboro facing a shortage of locally produced priests, the late Bishop John McRaith began reaching out internationally to fill the void.
In the years since, such loan programs have continued to be utilized and, in fact, have been enhanced.
“Our previous bishop initiated this, realizing there was a shortage of homegrown vocations to the priesthood,” said Father Jerry Riney, rector at St. Stephen Cathedral in Owensboro.
“Bishop McRaith entered into an agreement with Heralds of the Good News, a young order of priests in southern India.
“If we did not have these visiting priests, 25 percent of our parishes would probably be closed or many of our parishes would have to be consolidated. So, yes, I believe this has been a good thing — we’re certainly glad to have them.”
Only about 2 percent of India is Christian — 1.6 percent being Catholic — with more than 80 percent practicing Hinduism.
“The percentages of Christians and Catholics in terms of numbers is a little misleading,” Riney explained, “because India has a population of 1.2 billion. There, then, is the difference.”
The Diocese of Owensboro — which incorporates 73 parishes and 56 priests — now includes nine priests from Africa, seven from India, three from Mexico, two from Myanmar (formerly Burma) and one from Guatamala, along with a seminarian from Myanmar.
https://www.messenger-inquirer.com/news/local/priests-on-loan-program-helps-fill-clergy-gaps-in-churches/article_cff17fb5-9516-526e-ba94-a458a14cdce3.html