Világi papok Erdélyben a számadatok tükrében (1556–1716)
Secular priests in Transylvania in the mirror of numbers (1556–1716)

Summary/Abstract: It is a well-known fact that the relatively fast spreading of Reformation led to the decrease in number of Catholic priests in Transylvania. This was, as we know, animated by those dietal decrees, which brought the Catholic clergy at a disadvantage compared to the prists of other denominations. These decrees were in force regarding the whole clerical hierarchy and all its institutions, therefore the diocese was in lack of a bishop, the properties were secularized, monks were expelled from the principality. The study intends to gather the data concerning the number of secular priests in Transylvania between 1556–1716 through the analysis of the documents that are available. The conclusion of the investigation is that despite the hard circumstances and unfriendly resolutions, the Catholic Church was able to continue its pastoral activity, Catholic comunities did not remain completely without priests. The number of Catholic priests was constantly increasing from the first decades of the Reformation. It must be also noted that the universal Church, within the frame of her possibilities, tried to help out the Transylvanian priesthood.

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