What are we really looking for in our priests?
Friday, 11th August 2006

Dear all,

This week just ending is National Vocations Awareness Week. We asked our resident priest-commentator, Nathanael Theologos, to provide some form of commentary on what attracted him to the priesthood. Rather than focusing on himself, he directs our attention to the qualities of three priests — one of them fictional or apocryphal, the Vicar of Bray — to draw out what he sees as the core qualities of the priest who is servant to the people he is called to serve.

This is possibly an excellent introduction for a wider discussion we might have as a lay community providing feedback to the institution on the qualities that we look to in our priests. I have posed some questions at the end of Nathanael's reflection that might serve as the starting point for a further discussion over the weekend in our forum.

Also in the news today is a heartfelt story Cliff has brought to our attention of a family in Armenia. Please read the story and if you can make a donation it would be deeply appreciated. I have set up a PayPal facility so you can make secure payments quickly online and kicked off the appeal with a $100 donation on behalf of Catholica and Vias Tuas Communications. If you can add to this I'm sure Cliff and the family would be ecstatic.

The Priesthood Today Nathanael Theologos reflects on the qualities of three priests who have inspired his sense of vocation. As a contribution to Vocations' Week which is celebrated this week, Catholica Editor, Brian Coyne, challenges readers to write in our forum about what qualities we are seeking from our priests. [more]

Could you spare a small donation for this family in Armenia? Cliff Baxter has received a heartfelt appeal for assistance for a family in Armenia. He visited the country in 2001 to write a book on the country and its history and developed a great love for this most ancient of Christian nations and its people. Read the full story and if you can add to our appeal total it would be deeply appreciated.

Best wishes for a great day wherever you happen to be ... in life, and in our world.

Brian Coyne
Editor and Publisher
Catholica Australia