Bishop Cullinan celebrated the televised Mass on RTÉ One on Good Shepherd Sunday, 30 April last, during which he welcomed the Holy Father’s words of encouragement for vocations to the priesthood.
Welcoming Pope Francis’ 2023 annual message for vocations, on the theme ‘Vocation: Grace and Mission’ (see full text here), Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, chair of the Bishops’ Council for Vocations said, “On Sunday, as we begin our ‘Year for Vocation to the Diocesan Priesthood’ across Ireland, I am delighted to welcome the letter by Pope Francis specially for our Year for Vocation. It is full of encouragement and confidence in the God who is always calling us into closer communion with Him and one another. I feel that Pope Francis is urging us to keep proposing to young men the way of the priesthood, following Jesus Christ in this particular vocation and, every day, to Take the Risk for Christ!
“Today, answering God’s call to journey as a priest is a counter-cultural and courageous decision. Future priests need support to discern their vocation. I encourage any man who seeks to explore their calling to priestly ministry to make contact today with their local priest or diocesan vocations director,” Bishop Cullinan said.
ENDS
