Abstract

Data from the Official Catholic Directory are presented in support of three arguments countering the common perception of a clergy shortage crisis in the U.S. Catholic Church, as set forth by Schoenherr and Young: demand by laity for the Church’s services has sharply declined, not increased, since the 1960s; countervailing factors have greatly mitigated any reduction in services due to the decline in clergy; and in historical terms the current staffing level of clergy in American parishes and dioceses is not especially low.