There were approximately 51,000 priests in 1994, about two-thirds of them diocesan priests, according to the Official Catholic Directory. There are priests in nearly every city and town and in many rural communities. The majority are in metropolitan areas, where most Catholics reside. Large numbers of priests are located in communities near Catholic educational and other institutions. Training , Other Qualifications, and Advancement Preparation for the priesthood generally requires 8 years of study beyond high school in one of 349 seminaries.
Priests commit themselves to celibacy, remaining unmarried.
Preparatory study for the priesthood may begin either in the first year of high school, at the college level, or in theological seminaries after college graduation. Today, most candidates for the priesthood take a 4-year degree at a conventional college or university. Diocesan and religious priests attend different major seminaries, where slight variations in the training reflect the differences in their duties. Alternatively, high school seminaries provide a college preparatory program that emphasizes English grammar, speech, literature, and social studies. Latin may be required, and modern languages are encouraged.