Patrick Madrid dove into an intriguing article by Ruth Graham in The New York Times about the new wave of young, confident, and conservative Catholic priests. Let’s break it down!

📰 Ruth Graham’s Article: Ruth Graham kicks off her piece by introducing us to Deacon Zachary Galante, who’s on the brink of becoming a priest. Galante and his fellow new priests are all about embracing and advancing the Catholic faith, proudly proclaiming it even when it seems out of step with today’s increasingly skeptical world.

🌍 Contradictions and Challenges: Patrick chimes in with his thoughts, emphasizing that the Catholic faith has always been countercultural. It’s supposed to be a sign of contradiction, just like Jesus said. The world might find it a stumbling block, but that’s part of the deal!

📊 Stats and Trends:

Ruth’s article drops some eye-opening stats:

A whopping 80% of priests ordained since 2020 consider themselves theologically conservative.

Even foreign-born priests, who are generally less conservative than their American peers, don’t identify as very progressive.

This is a big shift from the 1960s, when many priests were liberal and influenced by the winds of change from Vatican II.

🏫 Seminary Shifts:

Back in the day, seminaries were buzzing with liberal ideas. Young seminarians were the rebels, pushing for radical changes like women priests and more relaxed views on birth control. But now? The pendulum has swung back. Today’s seminarians are all about tradition, and they’re loving it.

🔄 Changing Dynamics:

Patrick gets personal here. He talks about how this shift isn’t just about politics. It’s about a deep love for the Church’s rich traditions. He’s seen this firsthand through his sons’ experiences in seminary. The rigorous, tradition-filled formation they received is exactly what many young men are drawn to today.

🌟 Looking Ahead:

With older, more liberal priests gradually retiring, we’re witnessing what Patrick calls a “biological solution.” These young, passionate priests are stepping up, ready to take on leadership roles and reshape the future of the Church. Their commitment to traditional values is likely to attract more vocations and bring renewed energy to the faith.

Hope for the Future:

Patrick sees this return to tradition as something to celebrate. It’s about preserving the beauty and truth of Catholic teachings for generations to come.

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