Catholic researchers agree that the sex scandals of the 1980s and '90s also have taken a toll on recruiting priests, but they disagree over the extent. Let's just say that it's not something you put on a recruiting brochure,'' said Mr. Harris, who has written about the shrinking priesthood. The Rev. Michael Forge, the diocese's vocation director, said another major obstacle to recruiting priests is the lifetime commitment required by the church. That's scary to them,'' he said. If we had a system like the military where they could be a priest for 10 years or so, they'd sign up.'' It would certainly make celibacy less daunting, he added.
Some men choose to be deacons instead of priests.
Deacons are clergy who can be married. They perform some sacramental ministries, but their work is largely voluntary. The church doesn't ordain women, and it requires priests to be celibate, though exceptions are made for married Episcopal clergy who convert. Petter said he would welcome women and married clergy if the Vatican lifted its bans. That isn't likely to happen with the current pope, experts said.