Many reasons for fall in priestly vocations

IT’S difficult to say why fewer Irishmen are entering Catholic seminaries now.

Perhaps the answer is complex and has to do with perceptions of the church, a different worldview, personal aspirations and opportunities that didn’t present themselves in the past.

Perhaps greater access to sexual education has meant many young men understand and recognise the sex drive in themselves.

The availability of ‘free’ secondary education and much wider access to third level might mean the decisions that used to be made at age 18 are now being considered at 22 when there is greater self-knowledge, more self-confidence and the need for authoritarian approval has been diminished. I think these are more likely reasons than poor catechesis, as suggested by Maireád Scannell (Letters, October 9).

Caitriona McClean

Weston Ave

Weston Park

Lucan

Co Dublin