By Lavoisier Fernandes
Each month, the Holy Father Pope Francis invites us to pray for a specific intention. In February, his focus was on vocations to the priesthood and religious life, urging prayers for young people discerning their call to serve Christ’s mission.
As we consider the global decline in vocations, especially in regions outside of Africa and Asia, it becomes essential to explore the underlying causes.
A Growing Church but Fewer Vocations
According to 2022 Church statistics, the global Catholic population continues to grow, especially in Africa and Asia, where baptisms have risen by 14 million—with Africa alone seeing a 3% increase. However, priestly vocations are declining worldwide, except in these regions. As the number of priests decreases, the average number of Catholics per priest has risen to 3,373. Women religious are also declining, with 10,588 fewer sisters.
So why are vocations flourishing in some parts of the world but not in others, and are the changes brought by Vatican II to blame, or are other broader societal factors at play?
Is Vatican II Responsible for the Decline in Vocations and Broader Societal Issues?
The simple answer is no, as the data from Africa and Asia doesn’t support that claim.
A common belief among some well-intentioned Catholics is that the crisis in vocations is linked to the changes introduced by Vatican II—such as priests facing the congregation, the use of vernacular languages instead of Latin, interreligious dialogue, perceived lack of reverence in the Novus Ordo (Ordinary Form of the Mass), reception of Holy communion on the hand, the inclusion of female altar servers and many more.
They argue that these reforms have watered down the faith, leading to a decline in religious vocations, scandals within the Church, and ineffective preaching of the Gospel.
While there may be some truth to concerns about a few isolated cases of liturgical abuse and a perceived lack of reverence, but these issues are not directly caused by Vatican II. Instead, they have become more visible due to the rise of social media. In fact, liturgical abuse existed long before the Council.
Certainly, the sexual abuse crisis within the Catholic Church is both deeply troubling and serious. However, its prevalence is not statistically higher than in other institutions, including families, where approximately 30% of sexual abuse cases are committed by family members, or in society at large, where over 90% of abuse cases occur. Estimates suggest that between 3-5% of Catholic clergy worldwide may have been accused of abuse during the 20th century, with fewer reports in earlier years due to societal taboos and institutional secrecy.
Another factor often overlooked is the impact of the 1970s sexual revolution, which attacked the foundation of society—marriage—the basic fabric that holds together the domestic church (family life). These broader societal changes not only impacted the Church but also had a profound effect on the family—the domestic church.
The Overlooked Role of the Domestic Church
While much focus has been on the Universal Church’s role, we must ask whether the domestic church—the family—is fulfilling its calling. Ultimately, religious vocations aren’t something that appear out of nowhere—they are nurtured in the domestic church (the family).
Could it be that the true crisis in vocations is rooted in the weakening of family life rather than the reforms of Vatican II?
What Exactly is the Domestic Church?
The family is often referred to as the “domestic Church” or “Ecclesia domestica,” emphasizing its role as a miniature representation of the larger Church.
This term highlights the family’s importance as the foundational unit of the Church, reflecting the communal and familial nature of the Universal Church. In essence, the domestic Church is the Christian family seen as a “small community” that mirrors the Universal Church’s mission as God’s family.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (English Orthodox rabbi, philosopher, theologian, and author) describes the family as:
“Where we are Blessed and we become most like God himself, bringing new life into the world for the sake of love. It is our first school, a miniature welfare state, a healthcare, centre, a tutorial in responsibility. And yes, there is something spiritual about it. It is solitude redeemed”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC #2207) offers a deeper definition:
“The family is the original cell of social life. It is the natural society in which husband and wife give themselves in love and life. Authority, stability, and relationships within the family are the foundation for freedom, security, and fraternity in society. It is the community where moral values are learned, God is honored, and freedom is shaped. Family life is an initiation into society”
So each family member, through their role, participates in the baptismal priesthood, contributing to the family’s identity as a space where God’s love is encountered and shared.
So then, What’s the Family’s (Domestic Church) role in Faith Formation?
Faith is first introduced in the family, particularly to children. This makes the family a “school of human and Christian virtue”—a place where the seeds of vocation are first planted.
In the family, individuals experience key elements needed to become responsible members of both society and the Church. Families are entrusted with the task of spreading the Good News, praying together, and witnessing to their faith through daily actions. In this way, parents are seen as the primary evangelizers of their children, shaping their values and guiding their spiritual journeys.
Has the Domestic Church Fulfilled Its Mission?
When reflecting on the role of the domestic church, we must ask: Has the family truly fulfilled its mission within the Universal Church? The answer is not straightforward, as families face many challenges, as outlined by Pope Francis in his apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia on the pastoral care of families.
So, what are these challenges?
- Secularization: A Major Challenge for the Domestic Church
Secularization poses a significant threat to the family’s role as a domestic church. As secular values dominate daily life, practices like prayer, catechesis, and Mass attendance often take a back seat. So, how can families reclaim their spiritual mission in a world that seems to have moved on from faith?
- The Breakdown of Family Structures: A Crisis of Stability
Rising divorce rates, civil marriages without the sacrament, and cohabitation are weakening the traditional family structure. Families that do not live out the sacramental understanding of marriage often struggle to pass on the faith. This raises a pressing question: How can the Universal Church support families in living out their sacramental calling more fully?
- Time Constraints and Modern Lifestyles: Are We Too Busy for Faith?
Modern life is busier than ever, with long work hours, hectic schedules, and constant digital distractions. Amidst this chaos, many families find it hard to make time for prayer or faith discussions.
Can families find ways to integrate faith into their daily routines without feeling overwhelmed?
Materialism and Its Impact on Family Faith
Economic pressures and a materialistic culture also strain the spiritual life of families. When success is measured by possessions rather than spiritual well-being, how can families refocus on faith as their true wealth?
- Educational and Catechetical Challenges
Finally, the challenge of providing proper catechesis remains. Without strong faith education, how can young people navigate the challenges of the modern world? If the broader Church or parents cannot offer this education, how can the domestic church fulfil its mission to form future vocations?
A Call to Rebuild the Domestic Church
The Church is often described as the “Body of Christ,” with Christ as the head and all baptised as its members. This reminds us that the Church is not just the clergy or the religious —it’s you and me.
The role of the family in nurturing vocations is not just an isolated concern—it is part of the broader mission of the Universal Church, of which we are all baptised members. If we want to see the renewal of vocations with Holy and committed religious, we must first look to the strength and faithfulness of the domestic church. Rebuilding the domestic church is where we can begin.
The real question is: Are we ready to invest in renewing the domestic church to secure the future of vocations and thus the Universal Church?
This path forward first begins within our homes!
Post Script
For the month of March, Pope Francis’s prayer intention is for broken families. Let us join in prayer for the healing and renewal of the domestic church in our society.
Lavoisier Fernandes, born and raised in Goa, is currently based in West London. His faith is “work in progress”- and a lifelong journey. He has always been fascinated by the Catholic faith, thanks to his Salesian schooling. He’s passionate about podcasting, theology, the papacy, and volunteering. He has hosted ‘Talking Faith’ series for Heavens Road FM, Catholic Radio, connecting with ordinary men and women within the Catholic faith, other faiths and examining issues affecting both the Church and society. He has also been a host on Shalom World Catholic TV for two episodes of the ‘Heart Talk’ series. He presently contributes for the Goa Diocesan magazine Renevacao.
Thank God the writer didn’t blame Vatican II for the crisis in vocations. It would also be incorrect to blame the domestic church as defined in Lumen Gentium No 11.
As a former vocation promoter myself I can say with confidence that what happens in the world outside or the church inside has a deep impact on families.
The immediate cause in India is rising income and shrinking family size. Earlier the majority of vocations came from large rural families with relatively less income. Those equations have changed.
We also need to encourage married and women clergy. The hour has come. We need to read the writing on the wall.