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Ireland’s national seminary has reported a new low in this year’s intake of candidates, giving rise to fears of ancient parishes closing down.
Just 13 men from seven dioceses will enter studies for the priesthood at Maynooth this year, down from 20 last year.
Association of Catholic Priests co-founder Fr Brendan Hoban warned in The Tablet that “faith communities sustained over centuries will collapse”.
Blame has also been levelled at most of Ireland’s hierarchy for lacklustre efforts in promoting vocations.
The ACP is calling for the ordination of married men and the re-appointment of priests who have left ministry as countermeasures.
But critics have charged that the ACP’s negative attitude itself discourages vocations.
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