In the last 30 years, many parishes and Church-related institutions are finding that they can't afford to pay a religious a liveable wage.
Employment is becoming more critical as religious congregations grow older. In the past, the constant flow of young men and women into convents and monasteries assured that older religious would always be cared for.
This isn't the case today. Many older religious seek paid employment long after most lay people of their age have retired.
- Little White Book, Diocese of Saginaw