Latest statistics show that due to the deaths of serving priests, the replacement rate in Irish dioceses is just five per cent.In the last eight years, Ireland has lost 20 priests on average every month.
Ordination figures for these years show that only one in 20 have been replaced.
According to Fr John Leogue, who has been compiling the statistics for many years, the dramatic figures should serve as an encouragement of the need to pray for vocations.
Fr Leogue's figures also show that the 2009 version of the Irish Catholic Directory omits the names of 57 diocesan, religious and missionary priests who died during the previous 12 months.
Fr Leogue, Parish Priest of Athleague, Co Roscommon, said a more ''careful and complete listing each year may bring the real picture to bear on planning and on encouragement of the need to pray for vocations''.
It also ''reminds us all of the rapid rate of change in the Irish Church and severe shortage of clergy emerging,'' he said.
In 2008, 226 Irish priests died, 52 diocesan priests serving in Ireland, 69 Irishmen serving abroad and 105 missionaries and members of religious orders.
Since the year 2000, the largest declines have been experienced by missionary orders.
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