(July 06, 2010) Ireland’s Archbishop Michael Neary of Tuam is promoting religious
vocations in his archdiocese with a campaign including a new Web site, posters and
prayer cards. "All of us are deeply conscious of the failures, infidelities and crimes
of which some priests are guilty," the prelate said in his address when he launched
the campaign end June. "Yet in spite of all of that," he continued, "priests will
be found standing shoulder to shoulder with families and individuals, who carry their
crosses on life's journey, whether it be death, tragedy, illness or separation. Despite
the negative reports of recent times, in launching the vocations material on priesthood,
as a people of God we are declaring that we are very much open for business," the
archbishop affirmed. Announcing the campaign theme, "One Life, One Call, One Response,"
the prelate said, "We encourage, pray for, and welcome vocations to priesthood. He
said the need for good, committed, prayerful priests is becoming more urgent and added
that now is a particularly appropriate time to launch out into the deep, realizing
that we cannot do this on our own; the Lord is with us and will provide the catch
in terms of vocations”, said Irish Archbishop Neary.