Michael Kelly

Seminary leaders and vocations promoters remain upbeat after the number of men coming forward to study for the priesthood more than halved in just 12 months.

Just 16 men began a ''spiritual month'' in preparation for their seven-year priestly formation at Maynooth on Sunday compared with 36 last year. It is the lowest number in several years and represents a 56pc decline on last year.

Only 11 of Ireland's 26 dioceses have new students this year bringing the total number of seminarians at Maynooth to 66.

President of Maynooth Msgr Hugh Connolly said ''in some respects the fact that you are here at all today is remarkable and is a tribute to your courage and generosity of spirit''.

Speaking at a Mass to welcome the new aspirants Msgr Connolly said: ''For people of faith this past year has been a difficult one as more and more details have rightly and justly come to light of the abuses and calamitous failures of the Church in our country.''

As has become commonplace in recent years, none of the 16 men have entered Maynooth straight from school. According to the Catholic Communications Office the men represent ''a wide range of ages from the late twenties up to early sixties''.

Ten seminarians will pursue their studies at the national seminary in St Patrick's College, Maynooth; four in St Malachy's College, Belfast; one in the Irish College in Rome and one seminarian begins his studies in the Royal English College, Valladolid, in Spain.

Dublin archdiocese, which has been the focus of controversy following the publication of the Murphy Report, has four new seminarians.

Commenting on the intake of new seminarians, Fr Paddy Rushe, National Co-ordinator for Diocesan Vocation Directors said: ''I admire their strength and conviction as they follow Christ, particularly in these challenging times.

''The new seminarians represent a great hope for all our future,'' he said.

In his address to the new seminarians in Maynooth, Msgr Connolly said: ''Forming priests and seminarians of prayer, solid faith, pastoral sensitivity and wholesome lifestyles has always and will always be Maynooth's mission.

''The people of God need good priests, holy priests, priests who are faithful to Church teaching and especially priests who, in the words of the late Pope John Paul II, are prepared to 'mould their human personality in such a way that it becomes a bridge and not an obstacle for others in their meeting with Jesus Christ'.'' NEW SEMINARIANS:

Armagh 1

Clogher1

Cork & Ross 1

Derry 1

Down & Connor 3

Dublin 4

Galway 1

Kildare & Leighlin 1

Meath 1

Raphoe1

Tuam1