A new vocations drive by the Archdiocese of Tuam – territorially the most extensive diocese in the Irish Catholic Church – aims to attract greater numbers of young men to the priesthood.Launching the campaign, ‘One Life, One Call, One Response’ Archbishop of Tuam Michael Neary, reflected on the reality of his own vocation and encouraged others to give positive consideration when they hear God’s calling to the priesthood.
Despite the negative reports of recent times, in launching the vocations material on priesthood, as a people of God we are declaring that we are very much open for business, he said, adding “we encourage, pray for and welcome vocations to priesthood”.
Archbishop Neary acknowledged the failures of the Catholic Church in Ireland regarding the sex abuse scandals saying the “inadequate handling of these serious matters has been rightly exposed”.
“All of us are deeply conscious of the failures, infidelities and crimes of which some priests are guilty,” he added.
The number of priests is in serious decline, with the average age of the Irish Catholic priest today put at 63.
Each must retire at 75.
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