While there was no shortage of clergy in Vincent’s time, there was a shortage of good clergy. The principal evil flowing from this was the ignorance of the people.

Most of the faithful were illiterate, and so they were profoundly dependent upon the clergy for their spiritual life. But many bishops’ and abbots’ sees were purchased by the wealthy for their own families. So it was quite common that the upper clergy were vocationless, badly-trained individuals with little or no interest in the responsibilities of their office. The poor, especially the country poor, were neglected and remained spiritually ignorant. It was to these people that Vincent dedicated his life.