The Roman Catholic Diocese of Antigonish, N.S., is trying to cope
with a drop in the number of priests and an increase in the average age
of those who remain.
In 1996 there were 82 priests with an average age of 56 serving area churches.
This year there are only 50 and they average 61 years of age.
Diocese
spokesman Rev. Paul Abbass says the reasons for the decline include
church scandals, youth outmigration and the fact some people no longer
want to commit to serve others.
The area's former bishop recently
pleaded guilty to importing child pornography and the diocese is saddled
with a huge legal settlement following sex abuse scandals.