priests in ireland?

Question

Genuine question.....

Was there an increase in the applications for the priesthood in Ireland as a result of the 'Father Ted' comedy programme?

The series made it look like an idyllic life (yes, i know it may not have been 100% accurate) but i would be interested to know.

Many thanks in advance.

ps There is one true God, whatever name you may call him, in my humble opinion.

Answer 1

In a short answer , no.
When father ted was made in the mid 90s ,and the catholic church , although still quite strong in Ireland, had lost a lot of its respect and mystic, through the revelation the a prominant Bishop , Eamon Casey, was found to have had an affair, and a son. After that ,things just got worse for the church ,in recent years with abuse allegations . Most of the Irish people , even the still strong catholics did get a laugh from the show, only the staunt older ones did not find it as funny. Saying that, I was about 13 years old when father ted was made, and I can remember how unrespected the church had got by that stage among young people , and when we had career guidance ,no one had chose priesthood as a career.

Answer 2

The priests are diminishing here in Ireland, morals are differnet than 30 or 40 years ago when they ruled without question,
their constant sex allegations have caused many empty seats in chapels up and down the country, church knockers use this time and time again to condemn the catholic church, but there are as many good priests and they never get a mention, as for father ted, i think they fact it was based in ireland make it more of a success and acceptable

Answer 3

Father Ted "may not have been 100% accurate ?? IT WAS FANTASY ! The recruitment of Priests and Nuns is growing more difficult as education and secularism increases.

Answer 4

Maybe! the same question could be said for the Vicar of Dibley?? She was much better than Farther Ted! I think that I may have inspired people. But I true 'calling' is more then a TV program. It has to last and be tested but maybe people got theirs from the TV show. God works in mysterious ways You might have to check the statistics

Answer 5

Not really. Ireland has it's problems. They have shut down all but one Seminary there and they are currently trying to get back some of the priests they shipped out to the rest of the world in their hay day.

Answer 6

I think the priests took that VERY well, that program, since the stars were a drunk, an incompeant and a thief, shows what a great sense of humour irish ppl have.

Answer 7

Idyllic?? Not sure I agree. No I think would be the answer to teh question you ask.

Answer 8

father ted was a send up. priest recruitment is down because so many have been charged or accussed in connection with sex abuse. they have a real bad name now.

Answer 9

See this

http://www.netreach.net/~steed/magdalen.html

http://www.thewildgeese.com/pages/magdalen.html



http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0380703/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/drama/sinners/interviews/annemarie.shtml
Origonal documentry available from

http://cgi.ebay.com/SEX-IN-A-COLD-CLIMATE-DVD-DOCUMENTRY-REG-0_W0QQitemZ6437066430QQcategoryZ617QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem