October 6, 1995
Web posted at: 1:30 p.m. EDT
From Correspondent Norma Quarles
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Pope John Paul II on Friday warned of the dangers of materialism, and stressed the importance of the family. The pope spoke to a crowd of about 80,000 at the Aqueduct race track in the New York borough of Queens. (196K AIFF sound or 196K WAV sound)
"In the midst of the magnificent scientific and technological civilization of which America is proud...is there room for the mystery of God?" he asked. "There can be no life worthy of the human person without a culture - - and a legal system -- that honors and defends the family."
During his trip to the U.S., the pope will visit St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers, New York and give a special message of hope and encouragement to young men seeking the priesthood. The Pope's visit comes at a time when there is a growing shortage of priests and nuns in the United States.
For Fabian Lopez, a first-year theology student at St. Joseph's seminary, the day begins at dawn with a morning prayer.
Lopez, of Puerto Rican descent, believes he was called to serve God. "Certainly no angels came down and said 'Fabian, you are going to be a priest.' My mother always took us to church on Sundays, but as I went into my teenage years I realized that I was going to Mass for my own sake and coming to know in my heart that's what God wants for me, and being happy with that decision," he said.
It's a decision that fewer men have been making in the United States. U.S. ordination has dropped from 1,000 priests a year, in the 1960's, to about half of that in 1995.
While seminaries in Asia and Africa are filled, St. Joseph's, capable of housing 160, has just 70 brothers. "The number of people entering the seminary is certainly declining. Society at large is experiencing a fear of commitment and an attraction to other things," said Rev. Joseph Giandurco, dean of admissions.
For example, the decline in priests and nuns is said to be linked to the fact that half of all American Catholics believe they can defy scriptures regarding birth control, divorce, abortion or homosexuality.
Officials say the church is not a democracy and moral doctrines are to be applied faithfully. "Our task is to explain ourselves better, to be compassionate, to be understanding, but still to say this is the will of God for you in your life today, even though it might mean some suffering," said Monsignor Edwin O'Brien, rector at St. Joseph's.
"I'm not certain how I will deal with all the issues. Certainly I will pray about it. I believe in the teachings of the church," said Lopez.
For Lopez and other seminarians, the days are filled with prayer, study and devotion to duty. "You need to know your weaknesses so that you can repent of them, you need to know your strengths so that you can offer them for the service of God's people," said Brother Bernard.
Morale in seminaries is said to be low because priests are no longer as revered as they once were. Recent scandals involving the abuse of young boys has affected recruitment. "It has hurt. Some parents are reluctant to have their children consider religious life," said Monsignor O'Brien. "The priests in this diocese have suffered a tremendous slight and injury because of the reputation that has all of a sudden been painted on them. We'll get over it, goodness will prevail."
Pope John Paul II will lead evening prayer in this chapel, then give seminarians a message:
"I think the emphasis that he will put on the courage needed for the priesthood will be a key, something key to focus on for myself," said Tom Brouillette, seminarian.
Lopez said, "I await his message and I know it will be filled with hope and encouragement.
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