Imagine no priests to celebrate Mass
Catholics have worried for years about the vanishing ranks of priests – and now, the impact is here. A severe priest shortage here is causing parishes to close and lay people to conduct more weddings, baptisms and funerals. By decade’s end, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati expects only 100 priests to serve more than a half million Catholics, a projection that’s spurring more change than ever. In a three-day special report, The Enquirer examines what’s happening in one of the nation’s most heavily Catholic regions.

IMPACT OF VANISHING PRIESTS HITS HOME

That reality is altering Catholics' lives As early as this summer, the pace of change will quicken, potentially affecting more than half a million Catholics. The changes represent the most dramatic shifts in the church in 40 years, requiring priests and lay Catholics to rethink their roles. • County-by-county look at Catholics in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky • Vision of the future: Lacking a pastor, Holy Name Church turned to its pews • Victim of the past: Final Mass at St. Bonnie's was 'worse than a funeral'

Denied a family, he left priesthood Savio Russo says the celibacy requirement ultimately drove him from the priesthood. Now married with four children, he regrets that his desire for a family meant he could no longer be a priest. • Did you know? Catholic priests weren't always required to be celibate

Archbishop: 'You have to change a little bit' Cincinnati Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk will meet with church leaders in June to discuss ways of dealing with a severe shortage of priests. He shared his thoughts with The Enquirer today.

PRIESTS DOING DOUBLE, TRIPLE DUTY

Overloaded priests pray for strength In Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, some priests have more responsibilities and parishioners than at any time in 50 years. • Did you know? Only priests can preside at the Eucharist

Oldest, youngest priests share devotion Interviews with two priests illustrate just how much the hopes, fears and expectations of Catholic priests have changed.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS DO WITHOUT PRIESTS

Priests, nuns vanishing from classroom Out of necessity, lay people have become the chief propagators of the faith in most Catholic schools today. • Did you know? Notable graduates of Greater Cincinnati's Catholic schools

Women find ways past barriers to ministry As the church confronts a future with fewer priests, women are finding ways past the barriers to ministry. Yet women cannot be priests, a restriction that is unlikely to change.

SPEAKING OUT
Local students answer the question: How can the church appeal more to young people? Their responses

What should the Catholic church do to attract more young people into the ministry?
Three responses

Thirteen Catholics from across the region met recently at the Enquirer to talk about changes in the church.
What they had to say