Roman Catholic priesthood 'is for real men', NY recruitment drive says

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By Philip Sherwell in New York
19/04/2008

The Roman Catholic Church in New York has launched a slick recruitment drive, drawing on modern advertising techniques, catchy slogans and the power of the internet, in an effort to halt the dramatic drop in young men joining the priesthood.

Posters and commercials bearing such robust messages as “The World Needs Heroes” and “You Have to be a Real Man if you want to become a Priest” have been distributed at college sports games and in cinemas.

Senior clergy hope that some old-fashioned holy star power will bolster the campaign when Pope Benedict XVI visits St Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, just outside New York City, for a prayer service and youth rally.

Hundreds once studied to become priests at the seminary, but nowadays its hallways and classrooms can be a lonely place.

Just 60 men are currently studying there and only six will be ordained this year. But today St Joseph’s will host more than 20,000 young Catholics.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/04/19/wpope119.xml