Recruitment drive as number of young priests dwindles
Church scandals must not put off young men from joining the priesthood, the Archbishop of Dublin said today.
As vocations continue to dwindle, Dr Diarmuid Martin ordained the first priests into his Archdiocese in two years at St Mary’s Pro Cathedral.
He also told a 600-strong congregation that Ireland’s economic success was neglecting social problems like alcohol and drugs.
“I challenge those young men who may be thinking in terms of a possible call to the priesthood,” Dr Martin said in his homily.
“I challenge those who may never have allowed that thought to be fully addressed in their hearts.
"Jesus may be calling you to take that great step of generosity which can also lead you to true authenticity in your life.
“Do not be afraid. Do not be overcome by the failures of priests or by scandals. Let your love of Jesus Christ open your heart to the challenge of becoming a good priest, a priest totally detached from the values of the world in order to bring true value to the world.”
Dubliners Padraig O’Sullivan and Robert Colclough and Joseph McDonald from Belfast received holy orders today.
The three priests, who are all aged over 40, were trained at the national seminary in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where eight others are due to be ordained later this year.
Almost half of the Dublin archdiocese’s 2,000 priests are currently over 50 years of age.
Dr Martin continued: “We need priests and we need good priests who are authentic human beings and authentic ministers to the Lord. Young people turn towards the Church in their search for authenticity. Often their glance moves too quickly elsewhere.”
The archbishop said economic progress has helped many people rise up from lives of poverty.
But he added: “Economic progress on its own does not provide for all human needs.
“We see that in its most obvious light when Ireland can be top in Europe in a wide range of economic indicators and yet can very much on the lower level of certain social indicators.
“We see it in a situation in which wealthy Ireland can have such a high rate of youth suicide. We see it in the emptiness of a culture of drugs and drink.”
Fr McDonald, 44, who has spent 25 years working as a Christian Brother, said: “Priests have a fundamental duty to bring the gospel to the market place of today. That is the ultimate challenge.”
Offering advice to the priests before today’s service, Dr Martin urged them to cling to their initial enthusiasm.
He added: “Stay close to God. Develop a sense of prayer. Try to work in a new way with other priests and above all, with lay people.”
