Cathal BarryThe stark contrast is set to further focus attention on the lack of strategy to attract vocations in Ireland
The dramatic lack of vocations in Ireland has come into sharp focus this week as a survey by The Irish Catholic revealed that number of men beginning studies for the priesthood in England and Wales is four times the figure here.
This is despite the fact that England and Wales has only 4 million Catholics compared with 4.65 million Catholics in Ireland.
The survey of seminaries reveals that 57 men entered formation studying for dioceses in England and Wales compared to just 14 who entered seminary this year for Irish dioceses. This is only two above the lowest-ever Irish Figure in 2012.
The stark contrast is set to further focus attention on the lack of strategy to attract vocations in Ireland and further strengthen the hand of those calling for Irish dioceses to replicate strategies from countries that are seeing an upsurge in vocations after years of decline.
Fr Willie Purcell, Ireland’s National Coordinator for Diocesan Vocations admitted that the Church in Ireland should learn from its counterpart in England and Wales.
He said they have “many discernment programmes which we are now looking at implementing here on a diocesan level.
“The whole situation hangs on the question of discernment and we are moving into that now,” he told The Irish Catholic.
Also speaking to this newspaper, Bishop Kevin Doran of Elphin insisted that generating priestly vocations is “vital” for the future of the Church.
“Some people take the attitude that ‘it will be okay for my time’ but we have a responsibility for the generations that will follow us. If they are to have the Eucharist and the sacraments then we need to have priests. It’s non-negotiable,” Bishop Doran said.
“We need to seek out and be unapologetic in inviting young people to the priesthood. I have been doing this and will continue to do so,” Dr Doran said.
The six seminaries serving England and Wales surveyed were: St Mary’s College, Oscott, St John’s Seminary in Wonersh, Allen Hall Seminary, London, the Venerable English College and the Pontifical Beda College in Rome and Royal English College, Valladolid, Spain.