The new Archbishop of New York has rolled up his sleeves and gotten to work — and just a couple weeks into his tenure, he’s ordained his first crop of new priests. As in most dioceses, it’s a small group (three) but hope springs eternal:

This much is certain: The newly ordained Rev. Anthony Mizzi-Gili and Rev. Christopher Argano will be very busy priests.

The Staten Islanders — two of just three priests ordained for the Archdiocese of New York today — have joined a fraternity of men whose numbers began a steep decline more than 40 years ago, even as the ranks of Catholics in the United States continued to grow.

Seven men, including two Islanders, are on track to be ordained in 2010, and six men in 2011. As of right now, no priests are scheduled to be ordained for the archdiocese in 2012.

The precipitous decline has led to dire predictions throughout the wide world of Catholic observation. Just this week, the editors of America, a well-regarded Jesuit magazine, wrote that Catholic life is threatened by the priest shortage.

“Silence and fervent prayer for vocations are no longer adequate responses,” the editors wrote.

One suggested remedy: “The recruitment and training of married priests.”

More than 100 former Anglican priests and Lutheran ministers have been accepted as priests of the Catholic Church throughout the country. The magazine suggested that the 16,000 permanent deacons in the United States — the majority of them married men — should be allowed a similar admission into priestly ranks should they feel the call to ministry and be willing to undergo the additional study and training.

The nation’s Catholic parishes are now served by close to 16,000 permanent deacons, up from just 898 in 1975, according to figures for the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University. After a rigorous four-year course of study, they are able to perform baptisms and wedding ceremonies, and assist busy pastors in any number of ways.

But Pope Benedict has said unequivocally that priestly celibacy is not on the table for discussion, so this suggestion, while already provoking debate on the Internet, is not likely to change his mind.

For their part, archdiocesan officials maintain an optimistic public stance.

“I do see hope. I am full of hope,” said the Rev. Luke Sweeney, director of vocations for the archdiocese. “But it is a hope grounded in our present-day situation. There are a lot of challenges out there. But there is no disputing the fact that many young men are considering the priesthood.”

You can read more at the link. And there’s a nice sidebar on the priests right here.

PHOTO: Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan holding the hands of Christopher Argano during the Promise of the Elect, part of the ordination ceremony at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Photo by Hilton Flores / Staten Island Advance.