The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is urging Filipino youth to consider the option of joining the seminary or following a vocation as priests, in response to Pope Leo XIV’s appeal regarding the shortage of priests within the Catholic Church.
Archbishop Rex Andrew Alarcon, chairman of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Youth, said the CBCP has recognized the importance of addressing this pastoral gap, saying the call aims to foster the dissemination of inspiring teachings and to strengthen the faith in God among the Filipino populace.
By reaching out to young individuals, the CBCP hopes to cultivate a new generation of spiritual leaders who can guide their communities and promote a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith.
Pope Leo XIV said during an audience with French altar servers in Rome on Aug. 25—the feast day of St. Louis IX, King of France—that the shortage of priests is “a great misfortune” for the Catholic Church, encouraging them to “persevere faithfully” in their service at the altar.
In a statement, the CBCP supports and promotes vocations to the priesthood and religious life, highlighting a significant need for more clergy to serve the large Catholic population amidst a widespread shortage of priests in the Philippines and Asia.
The Philippines has a significant shortage of priests, with roughly one priest for every 7,000 parishioners, according to the CBCP
Meanwhile, Archbishop Alarcon emphasized the need to integrate youth ministry into the formation of seminarians and future priests, calling it a “special ministry” that requires structured preparation and pastoral training.
“Right now, it’s often offered only to those who express interest or take it on later,” the prelate said.
Although seminarians often interact with young people during apostolic work, he called for a more systematic and consistent approach.
“Formation in youth ministry should be present in the seminary. It needs to be given to future priests in a more structured way,” Alarcon said.
