The New York Times reported in June that overworked Catholic clergy in the U.S., Canada and Europe are outsourcing certain ritual prayer requests from their parishioners over to Catholic clergy in India. Priests said such a practice is not new, but that a priest shortage might have caused a bump in numbers. Indian priests said the requests are typically accompanied by US$5 to $10 (much more than they are offered for domestic prayers). [New York Times, 6-13-04]

I certainly hope so...but then again, in the modern world, I would believe it...reminds me of the parish in Washington state that is currently declaring bankruptcy because of all the lawsuits...

I can't say much about other countries, but in the Netherlands, the situation (as reported in the news a few weeks ago) is apparently critical enough to start recruiting new priests in India, thanks to the evergrowing lack of interest in anything religious around here.

[ 07-10-2004, 01:45 PM: Message edited by: Grojlach ]

Yeah, we have basically the same problem, Groj. Lately, I have seen several African priests-in-training. Maybe they can all set us straight! ;)

Wow, I didn't think the Catholic church needed preists that bad.
You know they should train the nuns to be preistesses so the catholic church doesn't have to send for overseas prayers.

But that would put women in positions of power and authority!! [img]graemlins/uhoh1.gif[/img]

Or just maybe the church is losing power because it isn´t supported by God ;)