Help for priests

Abstract

Over the past five years I have met most of the priests of the West of Ireland , and those in many other dioceses as well, and I have listened to them articulate their needs. Almost without exception they have spoken of the need for ongoing formation, even if that was not the precise term that they used . They have spoken of the need for confidence building so that they might have a better sense of their own personal resources and an opportunity to use their gifts and talents to the best advantage of their communities. They have spoken of the need for more help in developing their prayer lives and having some process in place to facilitate their ongoing spiritual renewal. Most spoke of the need for help with the scriptures in order to improve their preaching and liturgical celebrations. They spoke of the need for help in clarifying their understanding of the mission of the Church and for a clearer theology of priestly ministry and how it relates to other ministries.