Concerns are being raised in some quarters about the dramatic drop in the number of men training to be priests.
The Irish Catholic has published results of a survey which found that just 14 men entered seminary this year.
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The newspaper says the number of men beginning priestly studies in England and Wales is four times higher – despite the fact there are less Catholics there than in Ireland.
Worries about a shortfall in the number of priests here was cited as one of the reasons behind the now-shelved plans for a male-only Diaconate in the Diocese of Killaloe, which have been roundly criticised over recent weeks.
