Rev. Vincent Souly Serves 15 Years in Rural Tuscany as Italy's Priest Shortage Deepens
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Aug 16
Rev. Vincent Souly Serves 15 Years in Rural Tuscany as Italy's Priest Shortage Deepens
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Aug 16
Summary
Rev. Vincent Souly, born in Burkina Faso and ordained in Ivory Coast, has spent 15 years serving scattered Roman Catholic parishes in Tuscany's Prato province, where rural Italy lacks enough priests.
Roving between mountain churches and home visits, Souly has become a familiar pastor to mostly Italian congregations, filling gaps in religious care for elderly parishioners and isolated communities.
His role also exposes the limits of acceptance: Souly, now an Italian citizen, said comments describing him as a "priest of color" still mark him as an outsider.
The story reflects a broader shift in parts of Italy, where clergy from Africa and other regions are increasingly sustaining parish life as local vocations dwindle.