Manila (AsiaNews) – Filipino parishes and Catholic institutes must come together in a common effort to infuse young people with a new desire for vocations, currently on the decline. This is the appeal of Fr Rodrigo Salazar, a missionary of the Divine Word and director of the Indigenous People's Apostolate in San Jose Vicariate of Occidental Mindero. The priest warned of a "gradual decline in priestly vocations" in what is the largest Catholic country in Asia. The most obvious reason was "the spread of consumerism and materialism which pose an obstacle in the way of the approach to religious life".

In order to tackle the problem, Fr Salazar highlighted the need for "parishes, Catholic institutions and organizations to coordinate their efforts to revitalize and instill in today's youth the spirit of vocation". According to the priest, youth need constant guidance and true examples of missionary life. For this, "the most important role is that played by parents, teachers and catechists in encouraging new generations to join religious life, however far this is from materialistic models promoted by society."

Until a few years ago, the Philippines was known for the high number of its priestly vocations which today are growing more swiftly in "difficult" countries like Vietnam.

The Divine Word missionaries make up the leading male congregation in the Philippines, followed by the Salesians of Don Bosco. In the country, Christians account for more than 80% of the 88 million-strong population.