Rome, Italy, Jun 19, 2020 / 07:45 am
The trustees of the Pontifical Irish College decided last week that the national seminary in Rome will no longer host men studying for the priesthood in Ireland, beginning in the 2020-2021 academic year.
The decision was taken because of the decline in Irish seminarians, according to the acting rector of the Irish College, Fr. Paul Finnerty.
Finnerty told CNA that during the last decade the average number of Irish seminarians received at the college has been nine. During this semester, which is now in its exam period, the college had five seminarians.
"I am looking forward to the next chapter in the college's almost 400-year history and helping to shape its vision along with my colleagues," Finnerty said about the decision.