Madam, - I am often struck by the piety and dedication of those who pray for vocations to the priestly and religious life. I wonder if any of them have considered that the "Lord of the harvest" may be responding in a way some of them do not envisage.
Any of the institutes offering theological courses will confirm that the majority of their students are women, often outnumbering men three to one. Of the 500 students throughout the country who have taken some or all of the modules available so far in the Priory Institute Distance Education programme in theology offered by the Dominicans, more than 330 are women. And this programme started only in 2001. What will become of all this talent, education and passion for faith development?
That labourers are being prepared and sent to the harvest cannot be in doubt. So, the prayers are being answered. Perhaps somebody should tell this to the clerical "bouncers" jealously guarding the gate of the harvest-field. - Yours, etc,
ANGELA HANLEY, Beech Park, Athlone, Co Westmeath.