Swiss priests are getting older and older; the average age of a priest in Switzerland is 65 and the negative trend shows no signs of stopping.
This was confirmed by a study (“Les prêtres diocésains en Suisse - Pronostics, interprétations, perspectives”) edited by Arnd Bünker and Roger Husistein, director and collaborator of the Swiss Institute of pastoral care in St. Gallen, respectively.
The study – relaunched by APIC news agency – has revealed that towards the end of 2009, the average age of diocesan priests in Switzerland, was 65 and one out of two diocesan priests had exceeded their pension age.
There are some differences among dioceses: whilst priests in Basel and St. Galle have an average age of 66,7 and 65,8, the average age of priests in the dioceses of Sion, (62,9) and especially Lugano (61,3), 43% of diocesan priests are 55 years old or under.
Research shows that this general ageing, looks to progress over the coming years.
Statistical data shows that this phenomenon is not only affecting Switzerland, but other European countries too, as Fr. Ettore Malnati, a professor of the Faculty of Theology in Lugano pointed out to Vatican Insider.
“The problem of the high average age of priests in Switzerland, but also in Austria and Germany, is certainly down to many factors, such as the birth rate, the country’s secularised and permissive society. But in my opinion, another deeper reason is that the identity and the need for a ministry, ordained in accordance with the building of the Church-Mystery, as well as the vital relationship between the ordained ministry and the Eucharist have not been adequately considered or looked into in enough depth.”
“The sociological conception of the ordained ministry which has been diffused among Christians, is one of failure, on the other hand, there is a deep conviction among priests in the ministry – as John Paul II’s apostolic call Pastores dabo vobis affirmed – that it is a sacramental representation of God the Lord and shepherd.”
According to Fr. Malnati, therefore, it is not just the population’s general ageing that is at the heart of this phenomenon, but a problem of identity.