Philippine bishop urges Catholics to support vocations as Church faces priest shortage

Tagbilaran Bishop Alberto Uy has made a heartfelt appeal to Catholic communities across the Philippines, urging them to actively support and inspire young people to consider vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

This call to action comes as the Philippine Church marks its first-ever National Vocation Awareness Month this November—a significant observance aimed at addressing the critical need for more priests within the nation and the broader Asian region.

With over 80 million Catholics in the Philippines but only around 11,000 priests, the country faces a shortage that leaves just one priest to serve every 7,000 parishioners.

This gap creates challenges for clergy striving to meet the spiritual needs of the faithful, and it reflects a wider decline in vocations across Asia.

Emphasizing the communal dimension of a vocation, Bishop Uy spoke to the faithful, explaining that a call to the priesthood is more than a personal path—it’s a divine invitation that benefits the entire Church community.

"The call to the priesthood is not just a personal journey; it is a divine invitation that enriches the entire Church. We must actively encourage our young men to discern this sacred calling, reminding them of the profound joy and fulfillment that comes from serving God and His people,” he said.

In his message on Radio Veritas Philippines, Bishop Uy underscored the crucial role that Catholic communities play in fostering an environment that nurtures vocations.

He pointed to the essential elements of prayer, mentorship, and community involvement as powerful ways to support young people on their journey of discernment.

“Through prayer, mentorship, and community engagement, we can create an environment where vocations flourish, inspiring our youth to respond to God’s call with courage and enthusiasm,” he added.

The month-long observance of National Vocation Awareness Month officially began on November 3 with a Holy Mass celebrated by Novaliches Bishop Roberto Gaa, chair of the Episcopal Commission on Vocations of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), at the Cathedral and Parish of the Good Shepherd in Quezon City.

This historic observance was declared by the CBCP in January 2024, emphasizing a renewed focus on promoting vocations to the priesthood, religious life, and consecrated life across the Philippines.

This year’s theme, “Tara, Magmisyon kasama si Kristo: Journeying Together as Pilgrims of Hope, Called to Holiness towards the Jubilee Year,” reflects the Church’s call for community-based faith journeys marked by hope and holiness.

The theme aligns with the journey toward the 2025 Jubilee Year, inspiring Filipino Catholics to deepen their commitment to fostering a new generation of religious vocations.

The Philippine Church’s call for vocations resonates globally. According to recent Vatican data, there are currently 407,730 priests worldwide, including 279,171 diocesan priests and 128,559 religious priests.

As the Church continues to rely on new vocations to fulfill its mission around the world, the importance of community support for vocations cannot be overstated.

In his closing remarks, Bishop Uy highlighted the need for young Catholics to see the priesthood as a path filled with purpose and joy.

His appeal for community action reflects a broader vision for the future of the Church in the Philippines and beyond—a future where young men and women find strength, encouragement, and support to answer God’s call, embracing lives dedicated to service and faith.