Diocese is the Bishop.  It is his task and the task of priests to make a major contribution to the work of vocations promotion.  Here I want to acknowledge with gratitude the splendid work of Father Simon Cadam who has sought out candidates and encouraged them on the road to priesthood for many years.  Other priests too have been the ones whose example and encouragement have brought candidates forward.  Vocations Sunday each year gives us all an opportunity to speak about priesthood and our great desire to have people who will carry on the work after our time. 

The members of St. Joseph's Young Priests' Society have been tireless in prayer and in fundraising for students for the priesthood.  And I know that there are many people, some elderly and some housebound, whose prayer for vocations is continuous and is most precious. 
We are greatly indebted to all of these.

Taking a fresh look.

What else is there that we can do?  There are positive things we can do and there are negative ways of thinking to be avoided.  Let us think about this under four headings:  Ignoring, deploring, restoring and exploring.

1. Ignoring:  We cannot conscientiously ignore our need for priests and religious in the Church.  If we were talking about nurses instead of priests, we know very well that we would do no such thing.  There is an outcry when the shortage of nurses in our hospitals is mentioned.  We all know that we could get sick and need the help of nurses.  Nurses are relevant.  But so too are priests and we should not ignore the vocations question.

2. Deploring:  This is what we do all too often.  Those of us who are ordained to priesthood do it.  Laity do it.  Lamenting the drying up of vocations does only one thing: it just makes us feel badly.  We all know that vocations are few but lamenting that this is so will not remedy the situation.

3. Restoring:  This is another cul-de-sac. "We always had two priests in this parish".   I have heard people say that kind of thing somewhat accusingly.  There is an assumption there that somebody must be to blame for how things stand and that the situation could be put right, if there was a will to do it!  In the past vocations came, for the most part, from second-level schools. Now the vast majority come from work.  The old methods of discovering vocations are no longer enough.

4. Exploring:  This is really what is needed.  I believe that there are real possibilities around us.  Some young people are involved in good work for the Church in various organisations, some in their parishes.  Some of these may be the kind of people who are potential candidates for priesthood.  I also believe that there are reflective, thoughtful people who are well aware that a wealthy Ireland is not necessarily a happy one.  I believe there are always people around who greatly desire to make the world a better place. Putting before them the idea of priesthood calls for new and imaginative effort.

Much of the exploring must be done by lay people as well as priests.  I would urge Pastoral Councils to put the vocations question on their agenda.  If a Parish, priest and people, were to make the subject a real concern, I believe that this would give those who may have already thought about the idea greater confidence in themselves.  For a start I would suggest to priests and people that they ask of themselves two questions: 

(1) Is there someone I know that I believe would be a suitable candidate for the priesthood? 

(2) Can I find/create a situation where I can ask this man does he think that he could be a priest?

Asking the Lord to send.

I mentioned the importance of prayer for vocations already and I return to the same subject now.  Could we make a new effort to pray more regularly for vocations, publicly and privately?  We have one simple prayer for vocations which is used throughout the country.  Of course, you do not have to use this particular prayer.

Lastly, let me say one really important thing.  I believe that difficulty in finding vocations is related to faith problems.  When faith is weak, vocations are few.  I have a cautious hope that faith will be seen to recover in the coming years.  Increase in vocations will be a sure sign that this has begun to happen.  When we pray and work for vocations we are doing one of the most valuable services possible for the Church.

May the Holy Spirit who fired the apostles with enthusiasm at Pentecost touch our hearts. Let fear never deter us for the Lord is with His Church for ever.

+Colm O'Reilly.

Bishop of Ardagh and Clonmacnois. 

        Easter Sunday 2005.

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