FALL OFF IN PRIESTS
The Bishop of Ferns has expressed concern for the future of the church due to lack of vocations to the prioesthood
Bishop Denis Brennan said the lack of new entrants to the priesthood is one of the biggest challenges facing the Catholic Church
The Bishop of Ferns told diocesan vocation directors in Maynooth that abuse scandals had poisoned the well but the cultural shift had begun before then
Fifty years ago in the mid nineteen sixties 441 priests were ordained in one year now its down to 12 or 13
The effect on this on the church and how to rethink its ministry should not be underestimated Bishop Brennan said
The bishops have agreed in principle to set up a National Office for Vocations to rejuvwenate the call to the priesthood at diocesan level
