Optimism in Irish Church that vocations may be rising
Hope is being expressed among Irish Church circles that vocations to the priesthood may be increasing after a long decline given an encouraging shift in the numbers of those beginning studies toward the priesthood. The decline in vocations across Ireland has received significant attention and was the subject of a RTÉ documentary earlier this year. The post Optimism in Irish Church that vocations may be rising appeared first on Catholic Herald.
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Hope is being expressed among Irish Church circles that vocations to the priesthood may be increasing after a long decline given an encouraging shift in the numbers of those beginning studies toward the priesthood.
The decline in vocations across Ireland has received significant attention and was the subject of a RTÉ documentary earlier this year. However, optimism is being expressed after the news that 21 men have begun studies which may lead to their ordination for some of Ireland’s 26 dioceses.
The men are currently undertaking an initial Propaedeutic Programme at various study centres in different countries: In Ireland at the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Dundalk, County Louth; In Spain at the Royal English College in Valladolid and at the Royal Scots College in Salamanca; and in France at the International Seminary of Ars. Seminarians also attend St Patrick’s College in Maynooth, Ireland; and the Pontifical Beda College in Rome.
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It all means there are now a total of 74 men preparing for Ireland’s priesthood.
The Propaedeutic Programme is a new initiative following which a man may apply to enter a seminary and continue priestly formation.
Father Willie Purcell, Ireland’s National Diocesan Vocations Coordinator, says: “The twenty-one men who are beginning their vocational journey by entering the propaedeutic year demonstrates to the world that God never ceases to call men to diocesan priesthood.
“While today’s number is good news, I pray that vocations to the priesthood will continue in the coming years. The Church and the faithful need priests.
“As the faithful in Ireland and around the world continue to journey together on the Synodal Pathway, the generosity of these men calls us to reflect on our own vocation story as we take our part in the renewal of the Church in our respective dioceses and parishes.”
Fr Purcell credited vocations directors “across the country for their work in accompanying those who are discerning a vocation to diocesan priesthood”.
The news about the encouraging numbers has been warmly welcomed by Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan of Waterford and Lismore, who chairs the Bishops’ Council on Vocations. He attributes the increase to a determined effort in the last year to promote vocations, including through social media.
The bishop states: “Over the last year, in a special way, the Bishops’ Conference promoted vocations to Diocesan priesthood. All around the country people prayed that the call to priesthood would be heard.
“Thanks to efforts in parishes, and via traditional media as well as on social [media], the vocation of priesthood was discussed in family settings, parishes and in communities. In addition, and based on feedback, faith-filled encounters with priests and committed lay people encouraged the idea that God is still calling men to priesthood.
“So, today, I thank God to those who have responded to His call. We are all well aware that we need many more to respond. Therefore, there can never be any sense of complacency. The example of good priests up and down the country who walk with and lead their people to worship God, and care for their neighbours in good times and in bad, continues to inspire.”
He concludes: “Let us pray that all those who have chosen the path of priesthood will find fulfilment and bring the truth and the healing of Christ to our broken world.”
The figure of 21 compares to 10 in 2022, though it was actually higher last year, standing at 25 in 2023. Notably, some of the men are “late vocations” in their fifties and have worked in a range of jobs before.
At least one of Ireland’s seminarians is the son of immigrants from India, who are affiliated to the Syro-Malabar rite. The national co-ordinator for that rite in Ireland, Father Joseph Mathew Oliakkatil, sees this as part of the role of Indian Catholics in promoting a revival of the faith.
It is, of course, too early to say how many of the students will actually progress as far as ordination, and the numbers concerned are still small set against the days when Ireland had a massive surplus of priests.
But, for now, the figures are being taken by various leaders and members of Ireland’s Catholic Church as reason enough for a degree of hope and optimism, as the Church in Ireland continues to struggle and reconcile itself with a legacy of child abuse.
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Photo: A priest with young men involved in studying toward potential ordination to the Catholic priesthood; image from the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
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