"Answering the Call: A Deacon's Journey to Priesthood in Columbus, Ohio"
Read "Answering the Call: A Deacon's Journey to Priesthood in Columbus, Ohio" on WALY Radio
"Answering the Call: A Deacon's Journey to Priesthood in Columbus, Ohio"
[!CDATA[In Columbus, Ohio, Joseph Rolwing, a 27-year-old Catholic deacon, is preparing to be ordained as a Catholic priest at St. Joseph Cathedral. He attended the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, the only seminary outside of Italy governed by the Vatican. Rolwing's journey to priesthood began with questioning his faith in high school and feeling a calling in college, despite not hearing a voice or seeing a sign. The Catholic Church in the U.S. is facing a significant priest shortage, with a decrease of over 40% in the number of priests between 1970 and 2024. This shortage has led to the closure of 15 churches in Columbus. To address the gap, the diocese has brought in missionary priests from other countries and priests from different religious orders. Approximately one in four Catholic priests in the U.S. is foreign-born, and the potential impact of immigration policies on their status is a concern. Efforts to recruit more priests in Columbus include retreats and monthly dinners for individuals considering the priesthood. The Pontifical College has seen an increase in new seminarians from 17 to 40 in the past two-and-a-half years. Local Catholic leaders are hopeful that the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, will inspire more individuals to pursue the priesthood. As Rolwing approaches his ordination, he reflects on the sacrifices and commitments he is making as a priest. Despite the challenges and unconventional path, he believes that answering the call to priesthood is the best decision he has ever made.]]