Highest number of men in decade begin priesthood studies

A total of 21 men are set to begin studying for the priesthood, the highest number to come forward for the role in over a decade.

Last year, there were 15 individuals, while numbers dropped to as low as nine in 2021 and ten in 2022.

Data from the Catholic Communications Office shows that before the pandemic, the number of new vocations every year tended to be in the high teens.

The second highest number of seminarians before this year was recorded in 2013, when 20 men came forward.

In 2010, there were 16 seminarians recorded.

There are 74 seminarians in total studying for the priesthood for Irish dioceses this year, with 21 starting their academic programme and priestly formation for Irish dioceses.

Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, chair of the Bishops' Council for Vocations, said it was "really heartening" that 21 men have started as seminarians in various locations to study on propaedeutic courses.

"We thank God for each of them," he said.

The men are aged between 22 years old up to 50s and come from all socioeconomic backgrounds and a variety of careers, including teachers, engineers and in the sciences.

Bishop Cullinan said that "thanks to efforts in parishes, and via traditional media as well as on social, the vocation of priesthood was discussed in family settings, parishes and in communities".

"The example of good priests up and down the country who walk with and lead their people to worship God and care for their neighbours in good times and in bad, continues to inspire," he said.

However, Bishop Cullinan said: "We are all well aware that we need many more to respond.

"Therefore, there can never be any sense of complacency."

The new students will be based at the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Dundalk, Co Louth, the Archdiocese of Armagh, Royal English College Valladolid and Royal Scots College Salamanca in Spain and the International Seminary of Ars in France.

Upon completion of this programme, the seminarian, with the nomination of his bishop, then applies to a seminary to continue his formation for an Irish diocese.