Bishop Christopher Jones has written to all the Parish Pastoral Councils of the Elphin Diocese. His letter, the first of its kind, serves three purposes: to thank Councils for their work over the past year, to encourage the ministries of deacon and parish catechist and to invite Councils to discuss how best to encourage vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

“Personally I believe we need to turn to the Lord and ask him to inspire and encourage young women and men to consider religious life and the priesthood” he writes. “If we choose not to, the next generation will be the poorer for their absence”. The letter goes on to acknowledge that Council members may have a different view but concludes by encouraging every Council to put this matter on their agenda for the autumn.

The letter also raises the diocese’s decision to reintroduce the permanent diaconate and to introduce parish catechists. Since the Bishop’s pastoral letter was published on May 11th diocesan offices have had fourteen enquiries and there has been a noticeable increase in hits on the diocese’s web site.

Bishop Jones however, is eager to encourage greater awareness of these ministries. In his letter to Parish Pastoral Councils he states “Pastoral letters rarely have the capacity to touch people in the same way as personal contact … Consequently I ask your help at two levels. Firstly I invite each of you to visit the Parish Catechist and Diaconate sections of our web site (www.elphindiocese.ie) and to become familiar with the content. Secondly, I invite you to encourage women and men whom you feel have much to offer these ministries to read these sections and to speak with your priest.”

Three Catholic bishops have spoken out in the past week about the transition that the church in Ireland is under-going. Bishop Colm O’Reilly has highlighted the impending shortage of priests in the Ardagh and Clonmacnoise diocese and Bishop Donal Murray of Limerick has noted the need for stronger partnerships between clergy and committed laity.

In his letter Bishop Jones shares with Council members that in writing to them he is mindful of the transition the church is undergoing and of the need to pray and work now to ensure that their will be people in future years to work in partnership with priests and parish groups such as the Parish Pastoral Councils.