The feast of St Peter and St Paul (29 June) is the biggest occasion in the church’s year for ordinations to the diaconate and the priesthood. Here in the Diocese in Europe we are ordaining six new deacons and eight new priests, as well as a former minister of another Church who is coming into priestly ministry with us. Read the Diocese’s news article here.
But an article in the Church Times a week or so ago, by Very Revd Dr Michael Higgins, former Dean of Ely, pointed to the fact that there are simply not enough candidates coming forward to meet the Church’s need for clergy. In 2020 there were 591 ordinands, but this number had dropped to 370 by 2024. Some parishes advertising vacancies get no replies at all, with the result that many churches now depend for regular ministry on non-stipendiary or retired clergy. The ordination of women in 1994 helped to disguise what was already becoming a problem. But the situation now now it is more acute.
Dr Higgins’ article reminds us that while priests often refer to having a strong sense of vocation coming from God, there is “no reason, however, why such a call cannot also come through modern PR and planned human strategy”, examples of which might include regular advertising, seminars on the work of a priest and frequent “Is God calling you?” box adverts in church publications!
Among what Dr Higgins calls the “significant dangers” that the clergy shortage pose are the temptation of parishes to appoint the first/only candidate that applies – however unsuitable, or what he calls “the obvious temptation to lower initial selection standards” or, more fundamentally, the undermining of our parish system, that relies on the physical presence, and accessibility, of a parish priest.
Do you feel called to put yourself forward as a candidate for ordination? Of course, you probably don’t know. Would you like to talk it through with someone who might help you to test your vocation? You can contact Fr Hilary by email or WhatsApp, who will set up an appointment for you with one of our clergy, or if you prefer to speak with someone outside the Chaplaincy, you can contact Canon William Gulliford, our Diocesan Director of Ordinands here.
So at Petertide this year, as we pray for all who come forward for ordination, including the 15 in this Diocese, let us pray too that this will also be a time when new candidates will hear a call from God, however it comes!
Read the Church Times article here.
Photo above: last year’s ordinands in the Diocese in Europe