Spain: The Novus-Ordo Church in Decline
The Spanish Bishops' Conference presented its annual report on 10th December, revealing a worrying panorama for the Novus Ordo Church in Spain.
- The number of priests has fallen from 15,669 (2022) to 15,285 (2023).
- The number of religious has fallen from 32,967 (2022) to 32,531 (2023).
- The number of seminarians decreased from 974 (2022) to 957 (2023).
- The number of cloistered monks has decreased from 7,906 (2022) to 7,664 (2023).
- The number of permanent deacons increased from 572 (2022) to 587 (2023).
- The number of catechists decreased significantly from 83,435 (2022) to 81,080 (2023).
- The number of religious education teachers increased from 35,799 (2022) to 36,686 (2023).
- The number of missionaries has decreased from 10,147 (2022) to 9,932 (2023). Spanish missionaries work in countries such as Peru (582), Venezuela (448) and Argentina (376).
- The number of monasteries fell from 712 (2022) to 703 (2023).
- Regular attendance at …More
Hopefully, the Novus Ordo decline continues until it's buried 10 feet deep and never is heard from again.
The increase in "permanent deacons" & catechists (religious ed teachers) confirms what I've always suspected. The Vatican II church wants a lay run church. And before some one says "But deacons are part of Holy Orders." it has been understood from the beginning that "permanent deacons" are married men who live much like any layman. In fact when I was a seminarian in the 90s they were often called lay deacons - an oxymoron, but an apt descriptor. And all are familiar with the push for "lady deacons" - i.e. deaconesses. Francis has elevated catechist to the rank of an 'ecclesial ministry' like acolyte & lector: the former "minor orders." And of course they're open to women as well as men!! The goal is the elimination of the sacred priesthood.
IMHO, the increase in permanent deacons is just a way for bishops to deceive themselves into thinking they are not unsuccessful. It's true that we are ordaining too few priests . . . But we ordained 10 new perm deacons this year!