PARIS, APRIL 22, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The bishops of France are asking young men to consider the priesthood in a new vocational campaign titled, «Why Not Me?»
The French bishops’ campaign, which answers questions such as «What is a priest,» begins Sunday and will last through May 5.
In a statement, the bishops’ conference noted that the current campaign is a «call to act together for the vocation of future priests and the formation of seminarians of the dioceses of France.»
The statement said the conference seeks to have «the ministry of the priest» valued, «no matter what the personal commitment of young men,» as well as «the function and formation of future priests» and «the situation of priests in society.»
The campaign will address three audiences and will address a different message to each one.
For young men between 16-22 the campaign will propose the idea of vocation, and «why not be a priest?»
For men between 22-30, the campaign will answer common questions such as «What is the mission of the priest?»; «Of what does his formation consist?»; «What are his commitments?»
Finally, to men over 30, the campaign urges them to «promote the priestly ministry and appeal for donations to finance the seminaries.»
According to the National Vocations Service in France, in 2008 there were 15,440 diocesan priests (working in parishes) and 5,083 religious priests. This figure has been in constant decline.
On the contrary, the number of deacons is constantly increasing: In 1970 there were 11 and in 2004 there were 1,984. In 2007, the number grew to 2,061.
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For more information (in French only): www.etpourquoipasmoi.org/
