There are some voices that say that if we do away with celibacy and allow priests to marry there would be more. I don’t believe it.” 

In an interview with the newspaper Montanes, Bishop Vicente Jimenez of Santander, Spain acknowledged that the lack of vocations in his diocese is “troubling” but said he does not believe the solution is to make things easier for priests.

Bishop Jimenez noted that in protestant communities “celibacy does not exist and they have less vocations than Catholics.” He said the explanation lies elsewhere. “The issue is not celibacy. The issue is whether a young person wants to commit his life because he has heard a call from the Lord.

The conditions need to be created to make it easier, such as receiving support from his family,” the bishop said.