THE ordination of two seminarians this summer in the
Diocese of Killaloe "will provide an extraordinary morale boost to
priests in the diocese", its director of vocations said yesterday.
Ger Fitzgerald will be ordained on Sunday in
Castleconnell, Co Limerick, while Ger Jones will receive his holy
orders in O’Briensbridge, Co Clare, in August.
Fr Iggy McCormack said it had been 14 years since there had been two ordinations in one year in the diocese.
Fr Iggy McCormack said it had been 14 years since there had been two ordinations in one year in the diocese.
They will be performed by Bishop Kieran
O’Reilly.
However, only one further ordination in Killaloe is scheduled
within the next six years.
"We would always like more in seminary but the diocese’s record would compare very favourably to other rural dioceses."
Fr McCormack said he is dealing with "three to four very firm enquiries" following the bishop’s recent pastoral letter on vocations.
"We are very pleased about the upcoming ordinations. It will be a very special summer and it is a nice start for Bishop Kieran. It is something very positive. The pastoral letter was very well received. We want to start a conversation in the diocese about vocations and foster a culture of vocations and that life in the religious is seen as a good and credible option."
Fr McCormack said that if a parish produces a vocation "it is a sign of the living faith of that parish. Being a priest is a great job and one that I am very, very happy to do. I believe absolutely in my vocation. It is a very privileged position where you are there for the greatest joy and deepest sorry of people."
However, he said the age profile of priests in the diocese is a source of concern.
Last month, diocesan spokesman, Fr Brendan Quinlivan estimated that there are 100 active priests in the diocese, including retired priests who continue to provide pastoral duties with more than half aged over 60.
Fr McCormack said: "The older priests are carrying a heavy burden of continuing to work in their parishes and Bishop Kieran acknowledged their contribution in his pastoral letter."
Ger Fitzgerald, 31, is a native of Castleconnell, the only parish in Co Limerick in the Diocese of Killaloe.
He attended Castleconnell NS and St Mary’s Convent, Newport, Co Tipperary.
He began his studies for the priesthood in 2005.
"We would always like more in seminary but the diocese’s record would compare very favourably to other rural dioceses."
Fr McCormack said he is dealing with "three to four very firm enquiries" following the bishop’s recent pastoral letter on vocations.
"We are very pleased about the upcoming ordinations. It will be a very special summer and it is a nice start for Bishop Kieran. It is something very positive. The pastoral letter was very well received. We want to start a conversation in the diocese about vocations and foster a culture of vocations and that life in the religious is seen as a good and credible option."
Fr McCormack said that if a parish produces a vocation "it is a sign of the living faith of that parish. Being a priest is a great job and one that I am very, very happy to do. I believe absolutely in my vocation. It is a very privileged position where you are there for the greatest joy and deepest sorry of people."
However, he said the age profile of priests in the diocese is a source of concern.
Last month, diocesan spokesman, Fr Brendan Quinlivan estimated that there are 100 active priests in the diocese, including retired priests who continue to provide pastoral duties with more than half aged over 60.
Fr McCormack said: "The older priests are carrying a heavy burden of continuing to work in their parishes and Bishop Kieran acknowledged their contribution in his pastoral letter."
Ger Fitzgerald, 31, is a native of Castleconnell, the only parish in Co Limerick in the Diocese of Killaloe.
He attended Castleconnell NS and St Mary’s Convent, Newport, Co Tipperary.
He began his studies for the priesthood in 2005.