The diocese of Girona has gone more than three years without ordaining any new priests. The last case was that of Carles Sánchez, who was ordained a priest on October 2, 2022, after eight years as a permanent deacon.
Lack of New Ordinations Sets the Pace in Girona
Currently, the diocese has three seminarians in formation. Lluc Juscafresa and Edwin Oblitas could be ordained deacons this year, while Marçal Privat, a philosophy graduate, anticipates his ordination for 2029. Edwin Oblitas, who was previously a monk at Poblet, has adapted his monastic training to the diocesan sphere.
The usual process establishes that the first step is ordination as a deacon. For one year, they can preach the word, perform baptisms, weddings, and funerals, but not masses, confessions, or anointing of the sick. During that period, they receive pastoral training and, if the reports are favorable, they can proceed to ordination as priests
European Context and Situation in Other Dioceses
Jordi Font, rector of the Seminary of Girona, points out that ordinations have been declining in Europe for over 30 years, a trend linked to the social identity crisis and changes driven by the Second Vatican Council. According to Font, the pace in dioceses like Girona is one ordination every two or three years.
"The pace in dioceses like ours is one priest ordained every two or three years" - Jordi Font, Seminary of Girona
In comparison, the Diocese of Terrassa has a younger clergy and performs ordinations annually. In Lleida, however, it has been longer than Girona since new priests.
Episcopal Vacancy and Process Delays
The see of the Church of Girona was vacant for two years due to a lack of a bishop, which caused some processes to be blocked. This situation forced some ordinations to be postponed. Jordi Font recalls that the final decision on a person's ordination rests with the bishop.
"The decision of whether or not a person can be ordained lies with the Bishop"
Aging Clergy and a Call for New Vocations
The average age of priests in the diocese of Girona exceeds 70 years. There are currently 15 permanent deacons in the diocese, and the role of the laity with pastoral missions is highlighted. Jordi Font emphasizes the importance of priests in the ecclesial structure.
"The role of priests remains fundamental because a Church without presbyters would not be a Church"
Font calls for vocations to be awakened among the laity and permanent deacons, figures who already exist and who, according to him, must assume a greater presence in the pastoral life of the diocese