Clogher Diocese will welcome its first new entrant for the priesthood in six years this September. The former teacher, aged in his 20s, will be entering the propaedeutic year of discernment next month.
The propaedeutic year is a year of discovery during which a candidate for the priesthood receives an introduction to the spiritual and academic life in a seminary setting.
The diocese also has one existing seminarian - an early stage of studying for the priesthood.
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A collapse in vocations across Ireland has left an aging population of priests, struggling to deliver the pastoral and sacramental needs within parishes.
The Irish News reported on Monday that a Belfast city centre parish, St Patrick’s, has been reduced to just one priest for the first time in its 200 year history. In previous decades there would have been up to six priests in the parish.
However, there has been a slight uptick in recent times.
At present, there at least 26 seminarians from dioceses in the north studying to become Catholic Priests, including 16 from the Archdiocese of Armagh, two from the Dromore Diocese, four from the Derry Diocese and three from Down and Connor Diocese.
Down and Conor have also confirmed that six new seminarians will be entering in its diocese next month, the highest uptake over the past three years.
Diocesan Communications Officer Fr Eddie Magee said the rise is very encouraging.
“Vocations are particularly welcome during a time when it is increasingly challenging to meet the pastoral and sacramental needs within parishes across the Diocese,” he said.
“The increasing numbers of those entering seminary also reflects an enduring commitment on the part of the Church to accompany and support those who are considering a calling to ministry. In each Diocese, there is an appointed Director of Vocations who regularly contacts and provides guidance to those discerning a vocation. Events such as vocation retreats and opportunities to meet others discerning God’s call to ministry are also organised annually.
“As a Diocese, we ask God’s blessing on all those who are responding to the call to ministry in the priesthood, diaconate, and religious life and encourage all to continue to pray for vocations.”
Last year only 20 seminarians were studying to become Catholic priests for Ireland’s 26 dioceses at the national seminary in Maynooth, an institution that was designed to house more than 500 trainee priests.
The only Catholic seminary in the north, St Malachy’s Diocesan Seminary on Belfast’s Cliftonville Road, closed its doors in September 2018, meaning many study across Italy, Ireland, Spain and France.
Fr Pat O’Hagan, Vocations Director, Diocese of Derry said they currently have four seminarians, with two studying in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth and two in the Pontifical Beda College in Rome.
He added that in 2023 they celebrated the priestly ordination of three men.
“We hope to celebrate the ordination of a new deacon next year who should proceed to priesthood in 2026,” he explained.
“The following years will, please God, see at least one priestly ordination each year.
“This year we have a number of applicants who are soon to take part in psychological assessments, after which they will, hopefully, be interviewed by Bishop McKeown and a panel of lay representatives of the diocese and then, God willing, begin their seminary studies.”
Those discerning a vocation to the priesthood or religious life are encouraged to make contact with their local clergy or speak to the Diocesan Vocations Director
