Average age of Irish priests on the rise

15/06/2006 - 17:06:42
Almost half of the priests in Ireland are aged between 50 and 69, according to the latest annual survey of vocations by the Bishop's Council.

The study also shows a steady increase in the number of priests aged 80 or over.

Nineteen priests were ordained last year - that's four more than during the previous year.

While the number of men getting ordained was slightly up in 2005, the numbers leaving the priesthood, or dying, resulted in a net loss of 35 priests.

Fourteen new nuns and brothers were professed last year, an increase of six on the previous year.

Ireland had a total of just over 6,300 priests, brothers and nuns in 2005.

That's a drop of 2.6% on the 2004 figure, and is largely attributed to the aging profile of religious men and women.