Gerry O'Carroll: For the Church to survive, it has to do one simple thing - end vow of celibacy

Last year only 13 men signed up for entry into the priesthood in this country.  For two decades now Catholic bishops have been warning about the vocational crisis in the church. The dwindling number of priests in the ministry is now so acute that the centuries-old tradition of the revered Sunday Mass in many rural parishes is now in danger.

In many parishes, especially in rural areas, only one Mass is now celebrated on a Sunday. The norm used to be at least three This acute shortage of priests has led to the virtual closure of some churches and the growing practice of two or three parishes sharing a priest.

http://www.herald.ie/opinion/columnists/gerry-ocarroll-for-the-church-to-survive-it-has-to-do-one-simple-thing-end-vow-of-celibacy-31550365.html