Cathal Barry17 new seminarians begin formation
The president of the national seminary has called for a more “cohesive” approach to promoting vocations to the priesthood.
Msgr Hugh Connolly told The Irish Catholic that while he was “delighted” with the 17 new seminarians who have commenced their formation at St Patrick’s College Maynooth this week, such figures would not be enough to sustain the Church into the future.
“While these are very fine men that have come forward and we are delighted to have them I suppose there is a bigger question as to the personnel needs of the Irish Church.
“Obviously the number that works well in formation is a completely different consideration for what would work for the Irish dioceses,” he said, adding that the number of men currently entering formation “won’t replace the numbers that are retiring or passing away”.
National Vocations Director Fr Willie Purcell, however, said the fact that 17 men entered the seminary this year was a “very positive sign of hope not only for the Church in Ireland but for vocations ministry as well”.
“This is a sign to the Church in Ireland that vocations are there and it’s a compliment to the work of vocations directors and all the people involved in promoting vocations,” he said, adding that the “example and witness of 17 men who are making the commitment to diocesan priesthood is in itself going to encourage others”.
Acknowledging that “some very good efforts are being made” to promote vocations throughout the country, Msgr Connolly warned that it was “still perhaps something of a patchwork” effort.
Referencing the Year of Vocation which took place from 2008-2009 and yielded bumper figures, he called for more “cohesive efforts” to be made to promote vocations.
“What would be wonderful is if we could find ways of having those overall cohesive efforts that are done from time to time and which do seem to bear fruit. The Year of Vocation seemed to be one of those that really caught people’s imagination.
“If we could give some energy as a Church nationally to that we could harness some of what happened there. There’s no doubt that it would yield good dividends,” the monsignor said.
Fr Purcell said the Council for Vocations was now considering such initiatives.
“Certainly, initiatives like the Year of Vocation do work and they are something we have to look at again,” he said.
Fr John Gilligan, Dublin Diocesan Director of Vocations, said that he had been “encouraged” by the high level of applications he had received this year.
Acknowledging that “the numbers need to be increased”, Fr Gilligan insisted that the “quality and commitment” of the candidates was “more important”.
Despite the challenges, Msgr Connolly said “the good news is that there are very good people coming forward with extraordinary generosity of spirit to offer themselves for ministry”.
“It does show that people are to be found right across the country and the task for us is to find a way to reach out to them as a Church especially through our structures in terms of vocations promotion,” he said.
Vocations in Ireland since 2008
2008 20
2009 36
2010 16
2011 22
2012 12
2013 20
2014 14
2015 17
A breakdown, by diocese, for 2015
Armagh 1
Cork & Ross 1
Derry 1
Down & Connor 3
Dublin 3
Galway 1
Kerry 1
Killaloe 2
Ossory 1
Raphoe 1
Tuam 1
Waterford & Lismore 1