Only 13 students sign up for the priesthood in Ireland

[SecularMotion]

The recruitment crisis in the Irish Catholic Church has hit the headlines again with confirmation that just 13 men will begin studying for the priesthood in the new academic year.

St Patrick’s College, Ireland’s national seminary, has welcomed just 13 new students from across the island for the start of the new term.

The Maynooth-based seminary says the figure is down seven students from 2013 and represents a sharp decline in numbers of Irish men willing to become priests.

The Irish Independent reports that the new 2014 group includes one trainee missionary priest.

http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Only-13-students-sign-up-for-the-priesthood.html

[Brettongarcia]

1. Ireland had several bishops resign because of pederasty/abuse scandals

Of the 13 remaining seminary students, it would be interesting to see how many 1) actually graduate, and then 2) actually become priests.

I love Ireland sometimes. Some of my closest friends - and at least some of my genes - are from there.

It was a great moment, a benchmark in world history, when the Protestant/Catholic religion wars that lasted 500 years, at last began to really end, it seems. In Northern Ireland in the 1990's.

Recently I've supported the very liberal/secular Irish priest and theologian, Tom Brody; during his current banishment for heresy.

[Hoppy]

2. That's the best news all week.

Lets hope this spreads to other seminaries.

[Warren Stupidity]

3. Perhaps religion will just fade away.

[intaglio]

4. They'll have to bring Ted, Dougal and Jack

back to the mainland

[Dorian Gray]

5. Fr Ted

was one of my favorites while I lived in England.

[mr blur]

6. It's a start. (nt)

[AtheistCrusader]

7. I wonder how much of this is

just short-term PR issues around the beating this church has taken over the abuse of children/hiding the abusers, and how much of this is just people saying 'what's the point'?

[cbayer]

8. I strongly suspect this is backlash from all the horrible

things that have been uncovered in Ireland.

I think it also reflects the inability of the church to move forward and speak to newer generations.

Hopefully the PTB will take serious note of this.