Rhode Island Priests, Catholics On The Decline: Bishop Tobin

PROVIDENCE, RI — The numbers are in, and they "don't lie," Diocese of Providence Bishop Thomas Tobin told Rhode Island Catholics: attendance is on the decline. In a recent report titled the "pastoral profile," Tobin outlined the state of Catholicism in the state, from drastically lower mass attendance to a 40 percent reduction in priests over the past two decades.

"The inescapable conclusion from reviewing the report is that the Diocese of Providence is experiencing a quantitative decline. The numbers of ordained priests, registered parishioners, Sunday Mass attendees, faithful receiving the sacraments, and students in Catholic education have all fallen significantly in recent years," the bishop wrote in the profile. "The fact that this decline in religious practice is not at all unique to the Diocese of Providence – but is common to other dioceses in our part of the world and to other faith communities as well – is not much of a comfort."

According to the report, the number of priests in active ministry has fallen from 216 in 2000 to 134 last year. No doubt contributing to the decrease is an increasingly aging clergy and a lack of new ordinations to fill their places. Just 22 of the 134 priests in active ministry are aged 40 or younger, with 14 projected to turn 70 by 2021. By comparison, the diocese only expects to ordain a total of 13 new priests by 2024.

Turning to weekend mass attendance, the numbers are equally grim. In 2000, 187,708 Rhode Islanders went to mass weekly, down to just 79,936 in 2018. The number of weekend masses themselves have decreased as well, along with parishioners, even as the state's population grew.

Despite the seemingly grim outlook, Tobin urged the state's Catholics not to be discouraged, reminding them that they are, in the words of scripture, "the salt of the earth and the light of the world."

"Although the numbers might seem discouraging, there are many good and positive things happening in the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Providence each and every day," Tobin continued. "By far the Catholic Church is the largest and most impactful faith community in our State. Every day throughout our Diocese people are gathering for worship, children are being educated, youth are being inspired, and thousands of people, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, are receiving social and charitable services."

To address "the new realities in which we are living," Tobin said changes will be made to the diocese, including changes to parish structures, mass schedules, priest assignments and religious formation classes.

"Every member of the Churchshould expect to be affected by these changes," he said. "We are called to embrace the future and all that it holds, with steadfast confidence and hope, realizing that Jesus will be with us."

The full report can be read here.