In defense of young diocesan priests

In the first episode of season eight of “Jesuitical,” Zac and
Ashley critique a general perception that younger priests are more
conservative and rigid in their pastoral ministry. Joining them to
discuss the countercultural decision to join the diocesan
priesthood is the Rev. Wade Bass, a young priest who serves as
pastoral administrator at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church in
Allen, Tex., a suburb of Dallas. They discuss:  - Father
Wade’s call to the priesthood, experience in seminary and love of
the liturgy - The daily life and duties of young diocesan priests
today, the joy and positive energy among younger priests, and the
risks of loneliness and burnout - The extent to which the ministry
of these priests is—or is not—impacted by theological and
ideological debates within the church  In Signs of the Times,
Zac and Ashley discuss Pope Francis’ apostolic journey to Asia; a
lawsuit from the Diocese of Paterson, N.J., over a new procedural
change by the United States government regarding the processing of
green cards for foreign-born priests; and the tragic execution by
Hamas of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, whose
mother, Rachel, appeared on Jesuitical in November 2023. Links from
the show:  Pope Francis begins the longest trip of his papacy
yet despite age and mobility issues Mother of a Gaza hostage on
keeping faith after Oct. 7: ‘It doesn’t make sense. And I still
believe.’ Diocese sues immigration agencies over rule change that
could force thousands of foreign-born priests to leave U.S.
Catholics are more liberal. Young priests are more conservative.
Can the synod help us overcome our divisions? Why Pope Francis is
worried about seminaries and young priests with ‘authoritarian
attitudes’ Join Jesuitical for a live recording on Wednesday, Sept.
11 in Madison, New Jersey! Become a Jesuitical Patron and get
access to an exclusive synod Zoom event with James Martin, S.J., on
Thursday, Sept. 19, from 6-7 p.m. ET. Learn more about your ad
choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices