In a recent letter to parishes, Fr Emmanuel Gribben, director of Vocations for the diocese and leader of the Vocations Centre at Cleator, urged priests to take a more direct approach. He said:

“In a recent study the Church in the United States discovered that 78% of newly ordained priests, before entering seminary had been directly asked to consider priesthood by another priest. We clearly have a vital role in the promotion of priestly vocations. In a similar study over 90% of priests reported high satisfaction with their call and their ministry. They said that if the clock were put back they 'would do it all again'. Unfortunately the public perception is not one of a Church served by joyful and fulfilled priests. Hence we need consciously to seek to change that perception and to actively and directly encourage young men to consider a vocation to the priesthood. Is there someone in your parish with whom you should raise the possibility of a calling to the priesthood? If so please do so.”

There are to be Vocation Discernment Days for anyone between the age of 16 and 35 interested in the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood. The first of these will take place at St. Augustine's, Preston on Saturday 10th December from 11.00 AM until 3.30 PM. The second will be at St. Mary's, Cleator on Saturday 21st January 2006 from 11.00 AM until 4.00 PM.
Fr Gribben went on to advise priests as follows:

“In recent months two men have enquired about priesthood and both were advised by their respective priests to go away and take more time. This may well be the right advice, however please may I ask you to refer all enquiries to me. Please don't discount the young who may be interested. Vocations need to be nurtured and supported even at an early age and particularly in contemporary society. At present Leeds diocese have a programme of regular meetings and retreats for a significant number of 16-17 year olds who are thinking about priesthood. It would be wonderful if we could provide a similar opportunity for our young people”.