Five men will be entering Ireland’s national seminary in Maynooth for 2018 in what is thought to be the institution’s smallest enrolment ever.
However around 15 men from across Ireland in total will officially begin their journey into priesthood this year in Catholic Church facilities at home and abroad.
More than half of Ireland’s dioceses are not sending men forward to become priests this year, according to The Irish Catholic.
In August, Pope Francis made the first papal visit to Ireland in nearly 40 years.
An estimated 500,000 were expected to attend the Papal Mass in Phoenix Park, but only around 130,000 attended.
The Papal visit has been credited with an increase in Church attendances in recent weeks.
Scandals within the Church as clerical sex abuse and the treatment of unwed mothers Magdalene laundries have led to increased criticism of the religion.
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