The seminaries in Venezuela are deserted.
After a six-year period of massive migration and economic recession, many of the young people who joined the ranks of the Catholic Church have decided to try their luck in other countries.
In a nation that has more temples than municipalities, this is a major crisis.
Currently 622 young people are being formed as priests, but not all of them will be consecrated after completing the eight years of statutory studies.
The number is not enough to cover the 1,136 parishes in the country.
The migration that exists in the region has also reached the temples.
Seminary dropouts in Venezuela have gone on to join churches in nearby countries like Chile, while in their nation of origin there are less crowded churches and half-empty prayer rooms.
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