Priest Shortage ??

[Pat Mustard]

It is garnering some attention in the media.

-however-

I'm having a bit of difficulty with this issue supposedly befalling the Catholic Church. It's my understanding God calls upon those He wants to serve.  If God isn't issuing 'enough' calls, isn't there a big problem with complaining about not having enough priests ??

It would seem the church ALWAYS has the right number of priests if that really is how it works. So whining about a perceived shortage of priests comes across as both failing to understand His Holy plan and even [gasp!] directly criticizing God for essentially malfeasance of office.

I've been here long enough to figure I once again am missing something, but I have to admit, this occasion I am at a loss as to what it might be.

The shortage is massive in Ireland, from c18,000 in 1981 (when I was born) to barely cracking a thousand today (many of whom are Polish or African).