San Bernardino County outside Los Angeles has one of the worst priest shortages in the nation, reports the Press Enterprise.(file photo by John Ragai)
There are more than 7,000 parishioners for every one priest. That’s the third worst ratio in the nation. The national average is 1,700 – 1.
Yet San Bernardino County also boasts the most diverse group of priests in the country.
24 percent are Asian American/Pacific Islander compared to 3 percent nationwide.
27 percent are Latino again compared to 3 percent nationwide. 13 percent of the priests in San Bernardino County are black as opposed to 2 percent nationally.
The priests reflect the area’s population, but also Bishop Gerald Barnes multi-cultural outreach.
You can read more about the priest shortage in the Press Enterprise.