Do late vocations really exist?Will a redistribution of the clergy be necessary in the future? Some proposalsNearly 2,000 young people were able to study thanks to the CARF Foundation in 2022The Spanish Episcopal Conference has published the data corresponding to the 2023-2024 academic year, revealing that the number of seminarians in Spain once again exceeds one thousand and recovers the figures of 2021.
The challenge of secularization
Secularization, a growing phenomenon in contemporary society, continues to be one of the main challenges facing the Church in maintaining and fostering priestly vocations. The distancing from Christian values in many sectors of society, as well as the lack of commitment of some young people, are factors that hinder the response to the call to the priesthood.
Despite these obstacles, the Church highlights the importance of those young men who, in the midst of this reality, respond positively to the priestly vocation.
Relevant data
Last year, 69 new deacons and 85 new priests were ordained, confirming the trend of recent years, in which the number of ordinations has been below 100.
The total number of seminarians in the Spanish dioceses is 1,036, compared to 956 last year.
86 seminarians have left the formation process towards the priesthood, although 20 less than the previous year. On the other hand, the age of the Spanish seminarians ranges between 25 and 31 years.
Of the 1,036 seminarians present in the Spanish dioceses, 825 come from diocesan or conciliar seminaries, while 211 are being trained in the "Redemptoris Mater" international missionary seminaries, linked to the Neocatechumenal Way and canonically established in the dioceses where they operate. There are currently 67 conciliar seminaries and 14 "Redemptoris Mater" seminaries.
The 2025 National Vocations Congress
In line with these efforts, the Bishops' Conference has announced the holding of a National Vocations Congress in February 2025. This event aims to sensitize the whole Church and society to the importance of vocation in the ecclesiastical sphere, emphasizing the need to foster a committed Christian life oriented to the service of others.
This congress will be a further step in the effort to promote a culture of vocation within the Church and society, especially at a time when the challenges are ever greater.
