The Catholic Church needs priests ("Archdiocese calls on parishioners to ease burden on priests," Jan. 22). Things are not getting better in this regard, and the situation may become much worse in light of the aging priest population and scarcity of candidates for the priesthood. It may be time for the consideration of priesthood for a term of years. I'd propose five years with the potential re-enlistment. The men who serve such an enlistment would then be free to leave the priesthood and marry. (I suspect they'd be seen as great groom prospects.) They could then serve as deacons if they wished.

Such a program could also be offered to widowers or even married Catholic men whose children have become adults and left the home. Certainly, such a notion will first be met with objection, but careful consideration may suggest its merit.

In spite of the bad press the Catholic Church has received in recent years, it has been, and continues to be, of immeasurable service to the common good. Everyone, and particularly we members of the greater faith community, will suffer if it diminishes its presence and service. Although I am now an Episcopalian, my childhood was enriched and guided by attendance at Baltimore-area Catholic schools. My indebtedness to those fine men and women who taught and trained me brings me to write this letter.

Jerry Joyce, Hagerstown