One of the key requirements for becoming a Catholic priest or nun is to be free of all debt. But more young women are becoming nuns recently, and a bachelor’s degree is preferred for those who enter the religious life, so where does that leave those who would like to join?
A new study by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University found that nearly seven in 10 religious institutions had to turn down a serious applicant due to student loans. According to a news release issued Feb. 22, 32% of those who seriously inquired to institutions about becoming a priest or nun in the past 10 years had an average student debt of $28,000. The average student debt nationwide is $25,250.
In order to eliminate student debt, philanthropic organizations such as the Knights of Columbus, and some institutes do what they can to take on or reduce debt. Some who hope to enter come up with creative ways to pay off debt on their own. One former University of St. Thomas student, Meris Chaumont, priest talent show in order to raise money to both pay off her debt and to help pay for the supplies she’d need upon entering the convent. She also started a blog and posted a video called “Help Meris Enter the Convent!” in which she asked people to make small donations.
In response to the study, according to the release, the National Religious Vocation Conference is producing a handbook on best practices for those working with candidates who have educational debt. Complete results of the study are available here.
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