The Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin says there is hope for the priesthood and is asking men across the country to consider the possibility of becoming a priest.

Bishop Denis Nulty was speaking on World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

In 1984, 170 priests were ordained in Ireland, but today there are just 65 people studying for the diocesan priesthood.

Bishop Nulty, who has written a pastoral letter promoting vocations, says despite the dwindling numbers there's still hope for the priesthood:

“I think there is hope on the horizon because there was an open day in St. Patrick’s seminary in Maynooth only last week and at that open day 25, 30 young men to just have a look at the seminaries...it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to turn up next September to start their seminary training but they went out of interest…they were following a call and just searching some discernment journey in life, I think that’s hopeful.”