Church concerned over fall in vocations

MORE young people must be encouraged to enter the priesthood with only eight ordinations taking place across the country this year, it was urged yesterday.

Fr Kevin Doran, the national co-ordinator of vocations for the Catholic Church, said priests were concerned that the numbers considering a vocation must rise - with no ordinations to the Dublin Diocese this year.

“I don’t remember a year when we hadn’t one before. It is probably the first time in living memory,” he said.

“The reason for it was the two guys who entered the seminary six years ago both left.”

Fr Doran said the numbers of people entering the seminary to train were only going to improve generally if priests and parents highlighted the priesthood as an option.

“There was a survey carried out among 10 parishes which suggested a good few young people were open to consider possibly joining the priesthood if asked. A lot of young people feel they have to be really holy and therefore it can’t be me.

He said it was crucial that young people were asked would they consider the priesthood as an option.

The number of men applying to enter the seminary in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, has decreased over the last 20 years.

However, Fr Doran added: “Last year was encouraging there was a sign of an upturn for the first time in many years.

“There were 28 last year at the point of entry, 19 the previous year and 20 before that. The challenge would be to repeat that in coming years.”

About 25% to 30% of those who entered Maynooth College will pull out after deciding they were not suited to the lifestyle choice.

The Church has been advertising its vocations information website over the past year. The co-ordinator confirmed the Dublin Diocese had received a significant number of enquiries.

Fr Doran admitted interest in the Church had been concentrated in the events surrounding Pope John Paul II’s death and the election of a new head of the Catholic Church.

“A lot of people contacting me (over vocations) would have given part of the reason for interest, the death of the Pope and election of a new Pope.

“What people decide to do in six month’s time will show.”

Eight students from St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, are being ordained to the priesthood this year with the ceremonies taking place in dioceses from June 5 onwards. In 2004, only eight men were ordained, with nine the previous year.