http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/may32005/national155447200552.asp
The spiritual and moral problems faced by Catholic parishioners the world over are similar and Indian priests fill in well in countries that need their services.
It may not be called outsourcing just yet, but an acute shortage of young priests is driving Catholic churches in the US, Europe and Latin America to look to India, particularly Kerala, for shepherds of the faith.
Church officials here say in America and European countries, the âgreyingâ phenomenon is causing much concern. Youngsters are not coming forward to become priests; for one, because Catholic priests have to be celibate, Syro-Malabar Catholic Church spokesman Father Paul Thelekatt says. Another thing worrying churches abroad is dwindling attendance of young people at Sunday mass.
âThe Catholic Church is like a family. It is the spirit of the church to share personnel and resources when there is a need and from where they are in plenty,â Fr Thelekatt says. Earlier, missionaries from Spain, Portugal, Belgium and Italy came to India for church activities. âTime has come full circle and now priests from India are being sought after,â he says.
He says though priests have been sent abroad for many years, of late this tendency is on the rise due to the severe shortage
All the expenses of priests, including boarding and lodging, are met either by the church or the government of the host country. They are also entitled to two months vacation, free travel and salary.
About 50 per cent of Indian Catholics are from south India with Kerala accounting for 25 per cent.
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Regards,
Carlos
