I don't have a dog in this fight, but to echo some of the root causes of this shameful situation.
Roman Catholic priests can find places to serve, but they get a rectory and whatever stipend they can generate from Masses, etc. By and large they have no family to support.
Adding the CRM to the parish as assistant pastors is a noble goal, but who is going to pay their support? Being a worker priest myself, I know first-hand that many more congregations cannot afford a solo pastor, much less an assistant.
Another area no one is discussing is that our congregational piety means there is no Bishop to close down or merge congregations that are not functional or able to financially support their pastor.
I offered such a congregation a 2 point arrangement in an urban setting. Since my congregation has not been able to provide me with a full salary and benefit package, I proposed sharing myself with the other congregation, as they are at the point where they cannot support a pastor either. I made my proposal through the Circuit Visitor with the full-knowledge of my leadership. I never heard from the congregation, but know that they are being served by retired clergy in the area. Apparently, the congregational leadership is so divided amongst themselves that they are likely to fight their congregation into closing. So sad.
This CRM situation is so multifaceted that it defies a solution brought on by a Convention Resolution.
It's too bad the Roman Catholic Bishops won't receive our clergy as there are plenty of altars that could use a priest on a regular basis.
