Catholic Church in new plan to boost vocations
Monastic weekend (check our web page for dates)
A Catholic Church strategy to overcome the shortage of religious and priest and to boost its dwindling numbers was launched by Archbishop Diarmuid Martin in the Procathedral last Sunday evening the 13th April, 2008. The Archbishop reminded Irish Catholics that being a Christian is not a "spectator sport" and bishops needed to "recall to all that you cannot be simply a passive Christian."
Blessing a specially commissioned 'Year of Vocation' candle, the Archbishop said that Catholics should not be "sitting on the sidelines, or watching from the grandstand when the occasion arises."
The launch of a year long campaign as the Irish Church is confronted with a crisis of ageing clergy and religious and few recruits. In 2007 228 nuns died, with few recruits to the religious life. 160 priests died last year, while only nine were ordained.
The campaign, which ends in May 2009, aims to raise an awareness of the specific vocations of marriage, the religious life, the single life and priesthood.
The Archbishop said that being a Catholic meant answering the call of Christ and changing our way of living.
