Thirteen men have begun their academic programme as seminarians for Irish Catholic dioceses.
The latest entries bring the total number of seminarians studying for the priesthood for Irish dioceses to 77.
Last year, 21 men began studying for the priesthood, which was the highest number to come forward for the role in over a decade.
A spokesperson for the church would not confirm whether any of the students were from Donegal.
The 13 new seminarians are currently undertaking studies at the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Dundalk, Co Louth, Pontifical Irish College, Rome, Spain’s Royal English College Valladolid and Royal Scots College Salamanca, as well as the International Seminary of Ars in France.
Chair of the Bishops’ Council for Vocations, Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, said that he was thankful for the men, and it was “really heartening” to welcome them into the church in this way.
“In recent years, there has been a small but steady number of men beginning their studies for priesthood for Irish dioceses,” he said.
“While this is encouraging, in no way should this trend make us complacent. We need more priests, and we must continue to do what we can to promote priestly vocations in families and in our parishes. Without the priest there is no Eucharist, and without the Eucharist there is no Church”.
Bishop Cullinan added he has ‘no doubt’ that the numbers going forward will grow, and he is optimistic for the future of priesthood in Ireland.
Catholic Church upbeat as 13 men begin training for priesthood was last modified: September 25th, 2025 by Staff Writer
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