Fr. Paddy Rushe, National Coordinator of Diocesan Vocation Directors, said that these figures represented the highest intake of new seminarians since 1999, and were almost double the number that entered in 2003. “I want to acknowledge the hard work of vocation directors around the country who have spent time, in many cases well over a year, guiding and directing these men and preparing them for this step in their lives. Despite ongoing challenges to the Gospel values in the modern world it is encouraging to see evidence that God continues to inspire people to answer His call of service in the priesthood,” he said.

Three of these are Seminarans for the Archdiocese – they are Francis Hand, 18, from Togher, Co. Louth; Brian Slater, 38, from Coalisland; and Tom Kerr, 37, from Keady.  They are joining the existing Diocesan Seminarians, Sean McGuigan, (Magherafelt); Paul Murphy, (Termonfechin); Aidan McCann (Cookstown); Thomas McHugh, (Magherafelt); Ryan McAleer, (Cookstown); bringing the total of Diocesan Seminarians to eight.

We wish all our seminarians well, and thank their families and friends for their support and encouragement of them as they  undertake their training.  During these times, please keep them in your prayers.

If you are thinking about priesthood, or would like to find out more about how to be a priest, please follow the links below, or contact Fr. Paddy Rushe, our Diocesan Vocation Director. Once you have made the decision to look at priesthood as a viable option, the next step of the journey can be equally as difficult, albeit for different reasons, as you struggle to find answers to your questions, and wonder if anyone else is feeling this way.

Since 2003, the Archdiocese of Armagh has had in place a programme of accompaniment for those considering Diocesan Priesthood.  The goal is to help men discern more fully what’s involved in answering the call to priesthood.

In a relaxed and informal environment, the programme seeks to combine information with experience, as it introduces relevant topics to aid discernment in the prospective candidates;  It also enables them to get to know one another, and realize that many people share similar feelings at times like these. To download the brochure for this programme, please click here; THE ‘CAMINO’ PROGRAMME

Diocesan Vocations Website
National Vocations Website
Frequently Asked Questions
E-Mail Fr. Paddy Rushe