Changes in the US Priesthood

Catholic News Service reports on the findings of a study into recently ordained priests conducted by sociologist Dean Hoge from CUA. A comparison of results with a similar study by Hoge in 1990 revealed the following:

1. The average age of priests ordained five to nine years has increased by 8.5 years for diocesan priests and 7.5 years for religious.
2. 54% of diocesan priests surveyed were already parish priests, of which 75% had been assigned within five years of being ordained and 33% were responsible for more than one parish.
3. More than 50% of diocesan and 66% of religious priests could speak another language.
4. In the 15 years between the studies, there had been a decline in priests who entered a college seminary and increase in those who attended a post-college, pre-theology program.
5. In 1990 the five most influential magazines on young priests were America, National Catholic Reporter, The Priest, Origins and Church. In 2005 the top five were America, The Priest, National Catholic Register, First Things and Origins.
6. In 1990 Karl Rahner had the greatest influence on those surveyed but in 2005 it was Pope John Paul II.
7. A revealing finding was that 89% (up from 63%) of diocesan priests today identify with a cultic model of priesthood, the priest as a man set apart to administer the sacraments, teaching doctrine and set a religious example, as opposed to the servant-leader model of priesthood, the priest as a collaborator with the community, serving their needs and fostering their gifts. Amongst religious the situation was the reverse but there had been little change in numbers between the surveys.
8. Another revealing finding is that 90% of priests surveyed were happy with their vocation and would enter again if given the choice.