(November 07, 2009) The director of the Pontifical Pastoral Ministry for Priestly
Vocations is affirming that 20 countries have seen an increase in priestly vocations
over the past year. Monsignor Francis Bonnici reported this at a conference of English
and Welsh Vocations Directors, recently held at the Venerable English College in Rome.
He noted that England and Wales were among those that had seen an increase in the
number of seminarians, but didn't offer a list of the others. The priest urged the
vocations directors to not be too "general" in promoting the priesthood. He gave
special emphasis to the ministerial priesthood, stating that a new document, planned
to be released in 2011, will be published on this topic, drawing on the addresses
of Pope Benedict XVI. After the conference, Monsignor Bonnici affirmed that the time
with the vocations directors was "very enriching." He continued: "What struck me most
was the great interest which they have in vocations to the priesthood. Looking at
the table where there were the pamphlets and programs in print, I could notice that
there is a true focus in the pastoral ministry for vocations. Listening to the discussions
and talking to individuals, I felt that the promotion of vocation is very central
to the directors." Some 18 priests from 16 dioceses attended the conference, and elected
a new chairman of the vocations directors' committee.