Originally from Nigeria, Abanulo is one of numerous international clergy helping ease a U.S. priest shortage by serving in Catholic dioceses across the country. For the Spanish-language Mass an hour later, the Nigerian-born priest — one of numerous African clergy serving in the US — knows he can quadruple his teaching time. "Nigerian people are relaxed when they come to church," Abanulo said. Thomas Gaunt, director of Georgetown University's Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, which conducts research about the Catholic church. It's different in the US where the Catholic church faces significant hurdles in recruiting home-grown clergy following decades of declining church attendance and the damaging effects of widespread clergy sex abuse scandals.

Source: Manila Times January 02, 2022 04:08 UTC