Entitled «Conversion, Discernment and Mission: A Practical Guide for Fostering a Vocations Culture in North America,» the document is the product of last April’s 3rd Continental Congress on Vocations to Ordained Ministry and Consecrated Life in North America, held in Montreal.
The strategies outlined in the document hope to create a «preferential option for the young.» The impetus behind this theme was the large presence of youth attending the congress who sought practical support and encouragement from the bishops in fostering vocations among their peers.
Recent data by the Vatican’s Congregation for Clergy suggest North America lags behind other parts of the world, especially Africa and Asia, in fostering vocations.
In 2000, North America had 5,374 fewer diocesan priests and 7,391 fewer religious priests than it did in 1980.
The pastoral plan is available through CCCB Publications at $14.95 (Canadian), plus tax, shipping and handling. It may be ordered at (800) 769-1147 or (613) 241-7538, or by email at publi@cccb.ca.
