I have committed sins, such as cheating on girlfriends and lying about a bad habits, but even I can see a society falling apart from the seams. I have put a stop on that behaviour, and believe we all need to change fast, start praying and get our act together or someone will do the job for us.

Wolfe Hood, Birmingham, England

Catholisism brings discipline to young people. We must all Love God and one another. More needs to be done to help recruit priests that can give people hope in a World of corruption, and crime.

Janet Gill, Liverpool, UK

The cause of this recruitment crisis is obvious. I'm a young practicing Catholic in England, and I know at least a handful of guys, including myself, who would without hesitation join the priesthood were it not for the out-dated vow of celibacy. Why can't Rome comprehend that a man can be called to both marriage and full-time priestly service? They should make the vow OPTIONAL, its the only way to rescue the situation.

Mike, Berkshire,

I think that noone wants to face reality here and get to the heart of the matter, so I'm going to be blunt:

Catholicism is simply a relic of the past. It's outdated and it's obvious that noone is interested in it anymore; if people were truly interested then they wouldn't have manning shortages in the priesthood. Perhaps if they updated the religion they could attract new followers, but their death-grip on traditions is what got them in this mess in the first place. If they don't modernize to keep-up with modern society then the Church will not survive the ever-growing generation gap.

Wayne Christopher, Honolulu, Hawaii

Well,we know media such as tv,radio,newspapers,ads etc.Media ,in the ideal world,must make us better humans(persons),but thats not the case,even there is ,so called democracy and so called governing bodies -you must agree with this statement. similarly with church as mediatory establishment which has,indeed,a duty of governing,and we expect ,ideally,immaculate conduct in any area of morality,justice.Also we have to bear in mind,that humanly we can not understand God's Will.The secret is embeded in the Belief.The ultimate question - what 'I' believe in?We need heroes in every part of our lives.Heroes make many sacrifices.What we give to others from ourselves?Are we ready to give up our life for somebody?What church critics done good to and for others?We would like to see your personal ultimate sacrifice for good and benefit of others!!!Now we will talk!!!!

rai, london,

I am sad to see these developments happen, but it's not only Ireland. It's here in the US as well. Decades of immorality, disrespect and cover up by Bishops are the root of the problem. I have more respect for the Boy Scouts than I do for the Roman Church. At least the Boy Scouts have been successful in keeping sexual preditors out of their organization. Another problem that I see developing is the increasing acceptance of divorce, gays and a departure from conservative Biblical teachings. Catholics were never students of the Bible thanks to old church rules, but 21st Century Catholics are clewless when it comes to Biblical truths. How do you fix this? I don't have the answers. I was raised Catholic. I am seriously thinking of joining a Bible Fellowship Church.

Ben, Philadelphia, USA/PA

Priesthood in Ireland has lost its self-image. What other profession invites layfolk to carry out most of its functions? What profession-minded young person would be inspired into a profession that negates itself to amateurs.

Institutional disobedience also takes its toll on morale. Most Priests seem to break the rules in Liturgy, Doctrine, Discipline (including sexual), as a matter of course. What serious-minded young man is attracted to a vocation that questions its own standards? The Catholic Priesthood in Ireland needs to get professional, not business-like, just Priest-like again.

Thomas, Kildare, Ireland

A major part of the problem is reflected by the comment above about the Holy Scriptures begin "fairy tale." With that pathetic attitude toward the Word of God, which is shared by many young people whose gods are anything but the One, True God, it is no wonder that the number of priests and nuns are in decline. A more "educated" and so-called sophisticated society is no excuse for not heeding the laws of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Such a Marxist attitude will continue to lead to a decline of the human world. We need to get back to being a Christ-centered world, and turn away from the "me-centered" world, worshipping myself as a god, feeding my own desires, doing whatever I want, when I want, how I want. Such a life leads nowhere. Only a life in Christ leads us to true happiness, joy and peace.

Michael, Columbus, OH, USA

I think we should show more Father Ted on TV to encourage people into the world of relgion. Father Ted has a bigger following than the traditional preisthood anyway - just how many people tried to buy tickets for this weeks Ted Fest events? hundreds of thousands.

Fr Dougal Maguire, Craggy Island, Ireland

Clergy in ireland, are inclined to enter into long sermons not relevant to local issues and are too long, also the time of masse's are also too long , from an hour and a half to one half hour, people gravitate towards churches with short masses, long services and sermons turn people off.Priests should have the option to marry,
jim.

jim, donegal, ireland

"Maybe God is allowing the ranks of the diocesan priesthood to dwindle in order for more traditional and righteous priests to take their place."

Maybe this is true but I fear not. The fewer priests in the world peddling outmoded religious bigotry and dogma the better.

I see this as an entirely good thing, people do not need to religion, they need to think indepentently.

SPJ, London ,

Ireland stepping out of the mediaeval world. Not before time

John Ledbury, Kings Lynn, England

Homeosexuality is more accepted now and less of a stigma. That's why less men have tried hiding in the priesthood.

Garry W, London, UK

Surely this is good news,

As society develops and people become more educated they no longer have the need for a rather corrupt organisation based on a bunch of unpleasant fairy tales. I don't see the problem...

Bravo to Ireland.

Barry, Newbury, Berks

Sorry, Gordon, no heads in the sand here. Whether it's the Legion of Christ, the Incarnate Word Order, the monasteries of Solesmes or Barroux or many others like them; or the return of old Orders to their original charism, the young are attracted to a Faith that demands something of them, and as another writer has said, is ably led. One has to agree that many of the western bishops over the last few decades have been utterly useless. The Church has been crying out for great examples of fidelity to the Christian life, effective Christian witness. And now we are seeing this, thank God (and the Holy Father). I know this is awful for secular Catholics (a contradiction in terms if there ever was one!) to contemplate, but the damage they have done WILL be, and IS being repaired. There is much, much more to do to return the Catholic Church fully to its Founder, but it's happening. And should one be surprised? We have Our Lord's promise that He would be with the Church until the end of time.

Benedict Carter, Moscow, Russia

Very Rev Dermot Dunne is a bad example used here because he now embraces a different theology. He now rejects transubstantiation among other items of faith of the one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.

Colin, Dallas, TX

God will provide what the Roman Catholic Church needs here on earth. He promised to never abandon Her and we have to believe that includes providing the priests that are needed. Maybe this is a test of faith. Maybe God is allowing the ranks of the diocesan priesthood to dwindle in order for more traditional and righteous priests to take their place. The traditional Catholic orders around the world have more young men trying to enter their seminaries than they have space. If you care about the church, help to fund those orders so they can expand their seminaries and train more good, young, holy men. We don't need married priests or female priestesses. Leave that to the Protestants.

Paul Murray, Hillsboro Oregon, USA

the Catholic Church neither needs a married clergy nor ordain women to increase vocations. If men were less selfish, less obsessed with the almighty dollar and more in love with Jesus Christ they would serve humanity selflessly and serve the Church faithfully. Marriage is a vocation as are Holy Orders. If you can't handle the heat stay out of the kitchen. None of the great male saints complained about being celibate and chaste so shut up already. If ex-catholic priests need to leave the Church because they need a wife too then I say good riddens. If the road is too narrow for you then perhaps you lack the fortitude necessary to lead the Catholic Church. As for clerical sex abusers, active homosexual clergy and the Bishops who hide them shame on you. You may get away with your antics here but what a surprise you will have on the other side. Amen

Adam D, NEW YORK, New York

The priesthood is a vocation -- a calling from God, Who must be trusted. For , priests and indeed lay people, to stay on track they must pray and read the breviary daily . They are not social workers. The laity should pray for priests and bishops, and in addition to Catholic devotions , attend Mass as often as possible----and read the lives of the saints.
Priests are not supermen and are subject to all sorts of temptations. So, bloggers and stone-throwers beware lest you set yourselves up as judge and jury. And don't whine: Pray!

thomas warner, M.D., Madison, wisconsin, USA

'Those monasteries, seminaries and new Catholic religious orders that make no compromises with secular values and which teach traditional Catholic theology and liturgy are booming: this is clear right round the world'

If you really believe this than you have your head in the sand. The RCC is dying. It has been for centuries. The Reformation happened for a reason. The church lost it's way some time ago and frankly no young person wants to be a priest. The doctrines of the church which someview as timeless are really vestiges from an age past. Some demonstrably wrong from biblical study.

Until the church corrects it's errors and moves forward the decline will continue until the last RCC closes it doors.

As it is it is virtually dead in Europe and only Africa and Latin America allow it to breathe.

Gordon, New York, NY

There have always been Eastern Catholic married priests within the Catholic Church. However, recently an Eastern Catholic bishop came out and stated that being married doesn't make the man a good priest. The man has to first have a vocation to the priesthood. So simplistically marriage is not the complete answer. One doesn't want to give a bad example for instance by having a bad marriage (and how many divorces are there?). Women priests is totally out and would be an abomination. Start reading your Bible on that one. A lack of vocations-it is the people's fault. It is YOUR children who can become priests. You can make all the excuses in the world, but are you training your children to be holy, pius God-fearing young men and not secular? God comes first. if one goes to our dear Lord and prays, and is willing to start afresh, one can build seminaries, and renew the old ones as well. So get to it, my friends and stop complaining. Do something powerful FOR God instead.

Maggie, Harrisburg, USA/PA

God will gives us all the preists we need. No more no less. Vocations come from God not from the media or man. If God wants a certain man to be his priest, then he will make it happen.

Forget the past it is over and done with, the future is in us all. We either want to know God or not. It is our choice. The Church has had many crises is the past and they are just a phase that has come and now gone. So let us move on and rejoice , that even if we reject God, he is still there watching and waiting to be called upon.

So what ever the number of priests we have, the Church will survive and be all the better for it.

Move onwards and forwards, looking back is not healthy or productive for oneself or the greater good of Man.

Patrick Walesby, Hereford, England

Gaining Vocations in Ireland is not a matter of recruitment but one of example. The church in Ireland exploited its power and is still a stubborn force to contend with. Vocations will come when the Church in Ireland begins to behave like Christ as servants of the community and a shining light of humility. The people of Ireland don't lead leadership they need to witness selfless service motivated by a true love of Christ. When there is a shortage of vocations then the Hierarchy of the Church must ask itself a lot of questions before it can ask the faithful to comply with blind faith, especially after the scandals it has produced.

Ireland is not without faith - its without example.

Sean, Ireland

John , Tralee, Ireland

We in Texas have been blessed with Episcopalian priests joining the Roman Catholic church. The priests are married and are part of the Anglican Rite within the Roman Catholic church. (I think we have about 10 such churches in Texas now).
The mega churches are a cult phenomena. We have them in Texas but those churches are purely spectator sport. and they are not democratic, in fact the Congress is looking into a few.
With all the bad publicity the RCC has had I cant believe the number of people that join the church every day but we get hundreds in oiur small church baptised every Easter.

And then there are hundreds of Protestant Ministers who have joined the church in the last decade. I think they should be allowed to become married priests like the Episcopalian and Lutheran Ministers who have become RCC priests.

Isaiah, Dallas, TX

Here in the US not only do we have a vocations crisis but the well-known Pew Report just said that Catholics are fleeing the RC church in droves to go to more democratic churches-the mega churches. And the number of those who stay do not attend Mass on a regular basis.

My cousin in Ireland is responsible for two parishes and two schools. He has one Presentation Sister to help him. He lives in a Presbytery that must have housed 5or 6 priests in the "old days."

The Church has to wakie up and smell the coffee. Are they going to wait until there is no one left to celebrate the Eucharist before they decide to ordain married men and also to ordain women?

God help the Catholic Church!

Mary Moore, New York, NY USA

Vatican II did not re-shape the Catholic Church. It set out to renew and re-present the Church. It was, and remains in continuity with the previous councils of the Church. We must not, indeed cannot, bend with the prevailing winds in modern society.

Sean Preston, Clitheroe, UK

One small factual correction: Jonathan Swift was not the Dean of Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin, but of St. Patrick's Cathedral of that city.

Oddly enough, the two cathedral's are physically very close to one another south of the Liffey.

Mary French, Cambridge MA, USA

My mother grew up in Eire during the 1920's and 30's when the Catholic Church was like the KGB and the local Priest was the dominating force in the Community. My husband was sent to a Catholic boarding school in England, run by Christian brothers, where he suffered all manner of physical abuse and beatings, and fear reigned. My mother said fear of the nuns was one of the bad memories of her childhood. Nowadays, thankfully the Irish won't tolerate this nonsense, and the boarding school has closed. There are many wonderful Priests, but their image has been tainted by the few who have forgotten the message of Jesus.

Alice, Sussex,

Benedict Carter is sticking his head in the sand. The objective numbers of traditionalist seminarians are tiny - and there is no way that they can offer a solution to Catholicism's problem. Rather are these traditionalists sectarian. And sects will always have an appeal to a certain type of personality.

The reality is that Rome will not recognise how Catholicism was reshaped by Vatican II. It would prefer to alienate the faithful wholesale than face up to the reality. We have a priesthood that is increasingly unrepresentative and out of synch with the believer in the pew. Only the abolition of celibacy, an end to debilitating authoritarianism, the full acceptance of the role of lay people and a discovery in the Vatican of an ability to tell the truth to itself offers any way forward.

Mr Carter's solution, in contrast, is a certain route to Catholicism's meltdown.

Sophie Vandeleur, London, UK

The quicker Catholicism dies in Ireland the better. Forget the economic improvements or relaxation of the celibacy 'rules' . Catholicism strangulated every joyful aspect of irish character and life. Priests were revered, bishops venerated, while national press was censored ,etc.
But the main cause of Catholicism's decline is so simple a three year-old can figure it out. Catholicism- like all the other 'isms' before and since it- is false. Up until recently the Irish were afraid to face up to this stark fact.

We are no longner.

Tom McParland, LONDON , UK

‘’challenging the vow of celibacy as unnecessary.’’

This unpractical demand from clergy ought to be changed. Also Roman Catholic clergy have to be a bit open-minded!

All religions will have to change and reform according to times. Otherwise, slowly they will join the list of vanished religions.

Krishna R. Kumar, Udupi, India

As somene who has spent a good deal of time in Ireland, it is not hard to see how a taste for wealth and stable living will overshadow faith. As spiritual creatures, we are built to worship God. If we do not desire Him, we will find it somewhere else (Rom. 1: 22-28).

Here in the U.S. Catholicism is seen as more conservative in general. 1920 and before, the Catholic Church was one of the most galvanized. Now it is cultural in name for so many because God is not something that dictates lives.

It is not Vat. II mistakes either, but beliefs watered down or ignored. Paedophile is a symtom not a cause. Novus Ordo is not the problem either or celibacy, ordination of women, etc. A lack of firm teaching by bishops & giving into world is. Non-Catholic faith communities that have maintained some type of firm orthodoxy have done so because they fought off modernist attitudes.

Most people these days just do not want to hear how they must submit to Church authority or rules.

Paul, Washington, DC

Its true that the Irish are now among the best educated in Europe, but who were the educators- in the main the religious, priests, sisters and brothers! Lets not forget that most of these were men and women of integrity who provided that education free to parents who could not otherwise have afforded it. While the religious have virtually disappeared from the Irish classroom today, most of the elementary and secondary schools retain their catholic ethos.

Tim, Munster,

It is a fact which had been predicted by Saint John, at the end very few will remain faithfull and loyal to our Holy Church, Ireland is not an exception. But still I believe that we shall see a renaissance of our Church in spite of the materialistic era that we are going through. As Saint Peter said before becoming a martyr, I had struggle the good fight and I had overcome, I don't fear anything from this world. As Catholics we must not give up.

wetzvonken, Buenos Aires, Argentina

it is a very good news!

Pier Paolo, York,

While society shunned and villified homosexuals, entry to a supposedly celibate church was an avenue of escape and respectability. It was also unfortunately a means of working with children in positions of power and secrecy. Ideal conditions for abuse to flourish. However as society has become more tolerant of homosexuality and the abuse scandals have become common knowledge there are no more religious havens. Both the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches have been safe refuse for Paedophile activities for hundreds of years. Abuse against children has been covered up by religious and public bodies as a norm.
Jersey should be interesting... Celibacy is a crime against nature, sooner it ends the better.

William Meechan, Puntous, France

I find articles about the Catholic Church bring out the crazies; notably the commentator above suggesting that a firm stance in dealing with "foul homosexual clergy" is the way forward, amongst other such strictures.

Sure, that may make the Catholic Church more popular - by terrorizing, degrading and dominating - but success at what price? Success in what context?

Equally, to imply religion is the refuge of the ignorant is ludicrous and insulting.

Owen Edwards, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire

There is a very good reason for celibacy - complete devotion to the well-being of one's parishioners. This demands extraordinary men, of an uncompromising discipline that transcends baser emotion, whether heterosexual or even "foul" homosexual - such fine Christian understanding and tolerance there! Sooner a small cadre of such people than those unable to govern their impulses who have brought the Church into such disrepute.

David Russell, Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Benedict Carter has it right - until the 1960s, the Catholic Church in Europe had plenty of vocations to the priesthood and the religious orders. The appeal was transcendental: the Mass, product of the ages with its immense reverence gave individual Catholics the spiritual presence of Christ to support them in their struggle towards sanctity.
.
Then in 1969 Paul VI in 1969 imposed the Novus Ordo. Although this can be celebrated with great reverence, there was a loss of this spirituality, a diminution of belief, and - most important - a downgrading of the role of the priest. Priestly discipline relaxed and all manner of experiments began. And with this came the deluge of abuse. Diminished belief in the Real Presence led to mass defections among the laity and often, surrender to the prevailing 'worship of the golden calf''.

Since 1969 those groups permitted to say the old Mass have had ample vocations. Now Benedict XVI has freed it, the Church may begin to recover spiritually..

John Pedler, Aquitaine, France

Isn’t it interesting that the more educated the population, the less the appeal of the church. What this article fails to mention is the improvement in educational standards in Ireland, and the impact of global influences.
My cousins were naïve country bumpkins in 1977 when I visited Ireland. No television, no main-stream newspapers and a dominant local clergy ( .. also no bloody running water). The advent of television opened their minds.
The increasing secular influence has been a collateral effect of economic success. When you have money, you don’t need to ask God for your next meal.
The influence of the catholic church only proliferates among the poor and ignorant; preferably illiterate.

Stephen, Sydney, Australia

The vocations crisis in the West has nothing whatsoever to do with celibacy rules in the Latin Church, nor with the foulness of the homosexual clergy so promptly dealt with by Pope Benedict after his election to the Papacy. Those monasteries, seminaries and new Catholic religious orders that make no compromises with secular values and which teach traditional Catholic theology and liturgy are booming: this is clear right round the world. You just have to look at France, Argentina and many other places. It has everything to do with liberalism and the secularization of the Church in some countries - the USA, Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, the UK. The redress of the Irish situation is therefore clear: promote an uncompromising fidelity to Church tradition and beautiful liturgy, and the sitaution will rather quickly improve.

Benedict Carter, Moscow, Russia

Clumsy. Jonathan Swift was Dean at the other Anglican Cathedral in Dublin - St Patrick's.

Tim, Little Rock, Arkansas

I think it's time that the Church seriously consider the issue of married priests. I do know that several former CofE and Lutheran priests have been welcomed into the church with their wives and have taken an active ministry upon their conversion. Perhaps they should consider the example of the Eastern Rites where a priest can be married, but to advance into the episcopacy you must be unmarried and take the vow of celibicy

Mike McEleney, Jacksonville, FL

When priests launch a collection for a new roof or youth centre, they are fond of saying, with a smile, 'We need fifty thousand pounds! (pause) but we know where it is! It's in your pockets!
I know where the new priests are, maybe 4,000 in Ireland and God alone knows around the world. They're in your house. You call them mother, sister or daughter. I'm not sure the Catholic Church deserves them, but they're waiting. And they're able.

John Carty, Medellin, Colombia

It does not surprise me that fewer men are wanting to become priests. In recent years the word priest has become synonymous with paedophile; and not without good reason.

Around the world many cases of predatory priests have been reported. Two years ago, in fact, the Irish Government established a commission to investigate allegations of sexual abuse made against more than 100 priests who served in the Archdiocese of Dublin.

Des, Edinburgh,