Where are the men? They are half the church but a small percentage of Catholic Church ministries. Since the 1960s, rightfully so, the vital role of the laity has been encouraged and elevated in the Church. When the call went out in the 1960s and even into the 70s the women were home with their kids during the day and were often the first to step up to the invitation to serve the Church. This in no way diminishes the role women have played, but is a practical reflection on a visible reality. There is no doubt, without the countless hours of labor and prayer from women the Church would not be where it is today.
Now, 50 years since Vatican II, it is long overdue that more men step into the liturgical, catechetical and spiritual roles for laity in the Church. Additionally, men need to stand on the front lines as our Church is attacked on several fronts. In the example and under the patronage of St. Joseph, men need to take more seriously their roles as protectors of the Child Jesus and holy guides to their own families.
Like never before we see the need to have strong witnesses to the faith and to let the Church exemplify the role of the holy family. We need to see and support moms, dads and children working and worshipping together. Moms have been the staples, but without dad’s full participation and example there is strong evidence the children are less likely to continue in the faith. If we want to see churches full again, and remain so, it’s overdue that we encourage the men of God back in the pews, classrooms and sanctuaries of our church.
