'It’s like losing a family member:' Change to visa program could cause priest shortage among Archdiocese

ST. FRANCIS, Wis (CBS 58) -- The Archdiocese of Milwaukee could face a major shortage of priests.

This comes as Archbishop Jermone Listecki urges lawmakers to revise a Religious Worker Visa Program.

Father Carlos Londoño has been in Milwaukee for 10 years.

“Most of the deep connections and relationships I have with parishioners with families with people are here," said Father Londoño.

He’s originally from Colombia, and could have to leave the place he now calls home.

"At this point it feels like I have to leave home for a year somewhat forcefully," said Father Londoño.

The reason is because the U.S. State Department changed its interpretation of a federal immigration law.

Now 24 internationally born priests will be forced to leave the 184 parishes they currently serve here in Milwaukee.

“It was very disappointing because it had been a couple of months thinking I was going to become a pastor, and I believe it’s in every priests heart to one day be the pastor of your own church or churches,” said Father Londoño.

According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Religious Workers Visa Program allows qualified religious workers to work in the U.S. for up to five years.

However, here’s the issue, the visa that used to take one year to get now takes more than five years to get.

This will force the priests to leave for one year while their permanent visa is processing.

"It’s going to affect people emotionally because it’s like losing a family member," said Father Timothy Kitzke, Pastor of the Family of Five.

Father Timothy Kitzke says losing these priests would not only hurt the churches they work in but the communities they serve.

“It not only means more work for us who are pastors in terms of the hard work just the basic sacraments of the church masses, funerals, weddings, baptisms but I think its going to affect the relational elements of what it means to be part of a community," said Father Kitzke.

While Father Carlos plans to take the year and study abroad in Spain or Rome, some will return to their home countries where they may not feel safe.

"For the priests that are here from other countries they live in places where their faith has been threatened by the government. I think of some Asian countries where the churches are actively persecuted," Father Londoño explained.

Milwaukee Archbishop Jermone Listecki wrote a letter to legislators addressing the issue saying quote "...we urgently seek your help in addressing these issues, not only for the sake of religious workers and their employers but for the many American communities that rely upon them..."