SW News: In Ireland, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan of Waterford and Lismore along with other prelates and clergy have announced a 'Year of Vocations to the Diocesan Priesthood'. It will begin next month and carries the theme of ‘Take the Risk for Christ’. The announcement was made in the College Chapel of St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, on March 7.

“A key objective of this Year of Vocations is to start conversations within families, with priests and in parish communities on the beauty of the vocation of priesthood,” said Bishop Cullinan. “Feedback from newly ordained priests indicates a strong correlation between their calling and encouragement received from a priest about their ministry, in other words taking the risk for Christ.”

The bishop said that answering the call to become a priest is a counter-cultural and bold decision. “Future priests need support to discern their vocation. I encourage any man who seeks to explore their calling to priestly ministry to make contact today with their local priest or diocesan vocations director,” said the prelate. He also invited them to attend the keynote address of Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the Pro-Prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Evangelization, who will speak on the Diocesan Priesthood in a Synodal Church at Maynooth on April 25.

On April 25, the year-long awareness drive on the diocesan priesthood will begin. On the same day, a special conference entitled “Evangelization and Vocation” will be held in Maynooth. In the subsequent months, there will be a host of events in parishes and pilgrim centers around Ireland. Resources on priesthood will also be distributed among schools and families.

On April 30, the Church commemorates the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. It was instituted by Pope Paul VI in 1963 during the Second Vatican Council.