Sir, - With considerable interest I read the reported remarks of Father Michael Drumm to the National Conference of Priests in Ireland (The Irish Times, September 28th). He appears to be concerned about the "lower levels of academic achievement" among the newly-ordained, and is reported as citing this as evidence "that everything is not well" with "these guys".
Two years ago when I was ordained I remember being told by a confrere that "one becomes the priest, not on the day of ordination, but in the months and years afterwards". Since then, I have come to fully appreciate the wisdom and truth of this statement. All the academic achievements in the world will not necessarily make the newly fledged priest an effective one. The same holds true in the medical profession and in so many other occupations where human interaction is part and parcel of the job.
Good personality, broadmindedness, adaptability, listening and communication skills, and above all a deep spirituality and prayer life - with respect to Father Drumm, I believe that all of these traits and abilities are far more beneficial for a priest to possess nowadays than simply a string of academic achievements.
Father Drumm is reported to have said that "these guys [the newly-ordained] had better realise that they are in for a bumpy journey." Surely to God a "bumpy journey" is only to be expected in this day and age? The vast majority of newly-ordained priests (or should I say "us guys"?) know this and knew it long before ordination day, so why state the obvious?
I need hardly remind Father Drumm and his generation that a large part of the reason why the journey is so bumpy now is because of the damage caused by a significant number of "you guys" in the not-so-distant past. - Yours, etc.,
Father Philip Brennan, St Colmcille's Parish, Knocklyon, Dublin 16.