Monsignor ‘encouraged’ as 26 begin studying for the priesthood

THE Catholic church is enjoying a change in attitudes towards religious life with a 25% rise in the number of men who are starting to study for the priesthood at Maynooth.

Yesterday 26 seminarians arrived at St Patrick’s College to begin their studies in theology and take the first steps on the road to becoming a Catholic priest.

This is the largest class to start at the 309-year-old college in recent years and is double the number that arrived in 2003.