The Diocese of Killaloe is enjoying a rise in vocations to the priesthood, it emerged yesterday.
After a gap of six years of having no one enter the priesthood, the diocese's director of vocations, Fr Iggy McCormack, confirmed the diocese has four students who have started studies at St Patrick's College Maynooth or who are about to start next September.
Two men from Shannon town and Castleconnell who enrol next September will join two seminarians - John Lupton from Roscrea and Gerard Jones from Bridgetown - who entered Maynooth last September.
In response to the resurgence of interest in vocations, Dr Walsh said yesterday: "I am pleased and it is very encouraging. In the past 18 months, we have had more inquiries for the priesthood than we have had in the previous four to five years."
Dr Walsh urged caution, however. "It is too soon to draw any conclusions from the rise in interest. We cannot say that the shortage is over or that we have turned a corner. It is a long journey from entering Maynooth to ordination."
The increase in vocations in Killaloe is reflected nationally; St Patrick's College in Maynooth in 2004 saw the biggest rise in vocations in 20 years, accepting 28 new candidates for the priesthood, an increase of nine on 2003.
Dr Walsh last ordained a priest for the diocese in May 2003 and conceded at the time it was unlikely he would ordain any other priest for the Diocese of Killaloe before his official retirement date of 2010.
He said yesterday the 2003-04 year in Maynooth was the first time in living memory the diocese did not have a candidate for the priesthood studying at the college. Dr Walsh said the rise in interest could be attributed in some way to young people realising that promises of material prosperity are not fulfilling.
"The whole quest for instant happiness is not possible and young people are beginning to look for something deeper beyond that."
However, the rise in interest in vocations comes against the background of seven priests that served the Killaloe diocese dying since August of last year. Five of the seven had retired from active ministry and four had each given over half a century service to the diocese.
In response to the upsurge in interest in vocations, Fr Iggy McCormack said yesterday: "We're delighted and it augurs well for the future. We find when you have students, it is easier to attract other students."
Along with the four who are in or about to enter Maynooth, Fr McCormack revealed he has met a further six men who have expressed an interest in the priesthood. Those that seek to go forward are subject to a rigorous assessment, he said.
