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The US Catholic Church is facing an urgent challenge: the number of priests is declining at an alarming rate. The number of active priests in the US has plummeted from 58,000 in 1970 to fewer than 35,000 today, even as the Catholic population grew by 20 million. At the current rate, by 2030 some areas may only have one priest for every 6,000 Catholics, forcing parishes to close or merge.
An Aging Priesthood
Another challenge is that the priestly population is aging. In 1970, the average age of active Catholic priests in the US was 35. Today that average age is 63. This sharp increase highlights not only a decline in the number of men entering the priesthood, but also the aging dilemma surrounding the current population.
Many older priests are being asked to postpone their retirement to compensate for the shortage, but this is only a temporary solution. In just 10 years, the number of priests is set to drop even more dramatically. If this trend is not reversed, our access to the sacraments, spiritual direction, and parish life is at risk.
Secular Influences
Secular culture undoubtedly affects the Church as well. Media, movies, and public discourse often portray priests negatively, treating them as targets of suspicion.
A recent national survey revealed troubling perceptions: among non-Catholics, 25% associate the Catholic priesthood with predatory behavior, and 28% consider priests untrustworthy. These attitudes discourage young Catholic men from pursuing a religious vocation and cloud their perception from recognizing the true nobility of the priestly calling.
Answering the Challenge
However, the International Institute for Culture (IIC) has launched a groundbreaking Catholic vocations initiative, Shepherding Future Shepherds, to address the urgent shortage of priests. The initiative seeks a two-tiered approach: to restore confidence in the Catholic priesthood, and to inspire more men to discern a vocation to this sacred calling.
Restoring Public Perception
The initiative’s first phase, “ThankAPriest,” leverages digital storytelling to renew positive public perception of the priesthood. In March of this year, the IIC launched the website, ThankAPriest.com, to showcase these stories of heroic priests demonstrating courage, compassion, and service—true accounts of Catholic priests making an impact on lives today. These stories stand in sharp contrast to the many negative portrayals and work to restore an understanding of the true dignity, nobility, and importance of priestly service.
Each month, ThankAPriest.com highlights a new story that captures the life, sacrifice, and joy of the priesthood. Examples of these powerful portrayals of courage and conversion can be seen here among the titles that have been released to date:
Bishop Christian Carlassare: An Italian missionary serving in war-torn South Sudan with forgiveness and courage after surviving a life-threatening attack.
Father Philip Mulryne: A former professional soccer player who left fame and fortune to serve God as a priest.
Father Stephen Gadberry: Military veteran and “American Ninja Warrior” competitor, now drawing new audiences to Christ through his witness.
Father Gregory Boyle: Jesuit priest and founder of Homeboy Industries, healing scars and transforming lives among gang members in Los Angeles.
Early Momentum
In its first four months, ThankAPriest.com has gained significant traction, including over 3 million views, 35,000 Facebook followers, 10,000 email subscribers, 55,000 total community connections, and averaging 13,000 new connections each month.
To date, more than $160,000 has been raised from individuals and philanthropic foundations, including a $50,000 grant from the Raskob Foundation for Catholic Activities to advance the mission of restoring confidence in the priesthood and inspiring new priestly vocations.
Support From Church Leaders
The Shepherding Future Shepherds initiative has received praise from church leaders and organizations, already garnering substantial media coverage and numerous endorsements.
“Young men today are called to be shepherds but sometimes do not hear the divine call amid the noise and confusion of modern life,” said Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of San Francisco. “Shepherding Future Shepherds is confronting that crisis directly—offering encouragement, clarity, and the hopeful witness of faithful priests.”
“I’ve been involved in Catholic media and apostolic work for nearly three decades, and this level of early momentum is rare,” said Matthew Pinto, founder of Ascension, the Catholic media apostolate, and a member of the Shepherding Future Shepherds advisory team. “I was happily surprised to see how this message is resonating with so many Catholics of all ages. Catholics love the priesthood and welcome it being seen in a positive and inspiring light.”
“Our fishing nets are filling quickly,” said Fr. Jeremy Hiers, O.S.A., Director of Augustinian Vocations and advisory team member for Shepherding Future Shepherds. “Since Pope Leo XIV’s election, we’ve received over 175 vocation inquiries in just two weeks. It’s a clear sign that the Holy Spirit is moving powerfully, making this initiative incredibly timely for those beginning to discern.”
What’s Next
As the initial phase of a multi-stage program, ThankAPriest.com represents only the beginning of a broader strategy in the Shepherding Future Shepherds initiative to revitalize vocations to the priesthood. Subsequent phases will expand efforts to accompany men actively discerning their vocation.
The fields are ready. The strong early engagement reflects a growing movement among young Catholics—particularly members of Gen Z—who are seeking a deeper meaning for their lives, a sense of purpose, and opportunities for service rooted in faith.
The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. (Mt. 9:37)
It’s time for Catholics to rise to the call and take action to mitigate the decline in the US priest population; to restore positive perception of the priesthood; and to inspire young men to discern vocations as a meaningful and rewarding calling. The future of the Catholic Church and our access to the sacramental life depend on it.
Author’s Note: If you would like to explore stories, offer your own story of a heroic priest that should be shared, or support this initiative to revitalize the priesthood, visit ThankAPriest.com.
Photo by Tamara Govedarovic on Unsplash
