Collar "a Difficult Symbol" for Cork Priests

Cork News
March 29, 2012

http://thecorknews.ie/articles/collar-difficult-symbol-cork-priests-4921

Trainee priests are being warned that their collar may make them a target for verbal abuse, as increased public anger towards the Church has become an unfortunate modern-day reality of their job. Chiefs of the Diocese of Cork & Ross are hoping to breathe new life into the region's parishes by attracting new seminarians at their annual recruitment drive and information day for the priesthood tomorrow (Saturday).

Would-be clerics have been invited to find out first-hand the reality and sacrifices necessary for life in the priesthood from experienced churchmen at a gathering, organised by Bishop John Buckley to combat the dwindling number of priests and new vocations across the diocese's parishes.

Long-serving parish priests will also inform attendees of their own experiences of being at the receiving end of verbal assaults, triggered by the damning revelations in recent years of clerical abuse scandals.

Veteran priest Fr. Bertie O'Mahony, one of the organisers of tomorrow's recruitment day, said he himself has been the target of abuse in Cork city from strangers because of the negative image priests have in some people's eyes.

He said: "My parish is in Carrigaline and there's never been a problem, because everyone knows me there. I was ordained 44 years ago and I wouldn't change it for the world.

"But I've received abuse and a bit of anger when I've been into Cork in recent times. The collar can be a difficult symbol, because priests haven't exactly been the flavour of the month for the past couple of years.

"I'll be sharing that story and other experiences on Saturday with those who attend. It will be discussed, as will all aspects and demands of the priesthood."

Just six seminarians - five in Maynooth and one in Rome - are in training for the priesthood in the Cork & Ross Diocese, as Catholic Church chiefs continue to struggle to attract new vocations. And even if would-be priests are willing to accept a life of celibacy and the challenges of falling congregations, Fr. O'Mahony said those hoping to join the flock would have to undergo rigorous psychological testing to assess their suitability for the job.

He said: "If those who attend the information day on Saturday are still interested, they will be interviewed and then have a full day's assessment by a qualified psychologist. Bishop Buckley will then have the final decision on anyone wishing to join."

He added: "Things are getting tighter in the diocese. The age profile of priests is quite high and in the past year the number of Masses in the diocese has had to be cut.

"So Saturday is a key day for the future of the priesthood here." The recruitment drive comes just over a week after the Vatican made recommendations that trainee priests here attend child protection classes, along with new restrictions and vetting procedures on entrance to seminaries. It also proposed restructuring the number of dioceses as part of the Church's internal reforms. The information day takes place this Saturday, March 31st from 10.30am to 4pm in Ennismore Retreat Centre in Cork.