Polish Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz will ask his priests to submit their resignation at age 70 instead of 75 in an effort to put younger clergy into top positions, a Krakow archdiocesan spokesman has said."It isn't a question of some sudden shake-up but of a switch of generations," said the spokesman, Fr Robert Neczek.
"Our Church is fortunate to have many young priests who are full of enthusiasm and dynamism. We need to renew and rejuvenate the life of our parishes, and younger men can do this best by taking on the duties and responsibilities of rectors."
"Our Church is fortunate to have many young priests who are full of enthusiasm and dynamism. We need to renew and rejuvenate the life of our parishes, and younger men can do this best by taking on the duties and responsibilities of rectors."
Fr Neczek said Cardinal Dziwisz would make a final decision on each priest individually.
The cardinal had consulted widely about the issue with local clergy and laity of various ages since his installation as archbishop in August 2005, said Fr Neczek.
"Of course, there are parishes where elderly clergy are doing excellent work and the faithful don't want them to go - but there are others where stagnation reigns and we need to wake people up," Fr Neczek said.
"Younger men generally understand the new times better and want a chance to prove themselves. But the older priests won't be pushed to the margins. They'll continue helping their younger colleagues, but without directly shaping the pastoral direction of the parishes."
"Younger men generally understand the new times better and want a chance to prove themselves. But the older priests won't be pushed to the margins. They'll continue helping their younger colleagues, but without directly shaping the pastoral direction of the parishes."
Calls for younger clergy and laity to be given more responsibility in the Catholic Church in Poland have increased after recent controversies over the outing of priests who acted as informers for the communist-era secret police, as well as in response to demands for greater professionalism and media awareness.
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