Many western democracies are starving for vocations to the priesthood. There are some wonderfully pastoral priests who relate to and empathize with their flock, though, in my experience, they are the exception. Unfortunately, I have had too many conversations with dedicated parishoners who are disillusioned with pastors unwilling or, more likely and for many reasons, unable to relate to the people in their pews. Too many western democracies are starving for vocations to the priesthood. Though many factors are involved – practical ways to help remedy the overall decline in vocations and weekly church attendance, would be for the Church to make celibacy an option and to allow female priests. This would immediately rejuvenate vocations by bringing former priests back into the fold, encourage a host of new vocations (male & female) to the priesthood and display to the baptized and all the world – that the Church can understand, faithfully discern and respond to the needs of the People of God and the times.