New patterns of religious vocations in France

Contents - Feb 2001 - Buy a copy now Editorial: New religion texts for Melbourne schools - Michael Gilchrist Tasmanian priest to be Lismore's new bishop - AD2000 Report Bishop Wilson of Wollongong to be the future Archbishop of Adelaide - AD2000 Report News: The Church Around the World New RE texts launched in Melbourne's Catholic schools - Michael Gilchrist The finest RE texts produced to date - Anthony Cappello Liturgy: when will the 'Statement of Conclusions' make an impact? - Michael Gilchrist Religious persecution continues in Vietnam - AD2000 Report The "priest shortage": natural or artificial? - Larry A. Carstens Successful Thomas More Spring School in Wagga - Paul Sheehan A former heroin addict's personal testimony Archbishop Pell opens drug rehabilitation centre - Dr Joseph Santamaria Letters: Feminist book (letter) Letters: Church in China (letter) - Angela Martello Letters: Limbo (letter) - John Young Letters: Waste of resources (letter) - Shane Dore Letters: Vocations (letter) - Mrs Irena Nagy Letters: G.K. Chesterton (letter) - Tony Evans Letters: 'Creating Our Future' (letter) - Mrs Jeanette Joseph Letters: Consecrated life (letter) - Sr Mary Augustine Lane OP Letters: New Age spirituality (letter) - Frances Grundy Letters: Recipe for decline (letter) - K. Logan Letters: Sermons (letter) - Bernie Lewis Letters: Anti-Catholicism (letter) - Kevin Tighe Letters: Christian art (letter) - Kim Portelli Letters: Science and Christianity (letter) - Mrs Carol V. Phillips Books: 'The Essence Of Feminism' by Kirsten Birkett - Catherine Sheehan (reviewer) Books: 'The Sacred Liturgy', 'Discovering the Mass', by a Benedictine monk - Christopher Quinn (reviewer) Books: 'Pope Pius XII: Architect For Peace' by Margherita Marchione - Michael Daniel (reviewer) New patterns of religious vocations in France Reflection: The essential role of the Catholic priest - Fr John A. Hardon SJ

Some religious congregations in France are headed for "certain death," but other forms of consecrated life are springing up.

Father Gerard Lachivert, secretary-general of the Conference of Religious Major Superiors of France, reported his observations at a 1-4 December 2000 meeting of major superiors of French men's and women's religious orders and congregations. The superiors met in Lourdes to address the challenge posed by the crisis in vocations and its consequences.

"In general," Father Lachivert observed, "we can speak of the certain death of religious families that rose in the 19th century for educational, charitable and health purposes." However, traditional orders, such as the Franciscans and Dominicans, still had a great future, since they have seen a resurgence of vocations.

But the real news, Father Lachivert added, is the birth of "new communities" and movements that have come into existence over the past 30 years. "They are giving proof of a vigour that challenges all religious congregations."

In France, communities such as Emmanuel, the Beatitudes, New Way (""Chemin Neuf"), Bread of Life ("Pain de Vie") and others have arisen, many resulting from the Charismatic Renewal. The new groups have become the principal seedbeds of vocations to the priesthood in France.

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 14 No 1 (February 2001), p. 20