'You don’t need to be a saint' - Kilkenny priest on life behind the collar

Clara Parish Priest, Fr Willie Purcell, made an appearance on the small screen last year, contributing to RTE documentary, 'The Last Priests in Ireland'.

The programme, presented by comic and Father Ted star, Ardal O'Hanlon, offered an insightful assessment into the role of Catholicism and the priesthood in Ireland, analysing the impact the evolution of Christianity has had on the priesthood and on Irish society at large and what changes may need to be made to make the role of the priest attractive again.

"Anybody who's presenting themselves for priesthood nowadays, it's really counter-cultural and really is a radical decision," Kilkenny priest, Fr Willie Purcell claimed.

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He also acknowledged how a move into the priesthood may be considered a 'risk' for a young person.

"There really is an awful lot of humility involved, a lot of self-sacrifice involved in it but most importantly of all a vocation, it's a selfless decision to give yourself to Christ, to give yourself to others," he said.

The local man finished by noting, 'you don’t need to be a saint' when considering joining the priesthood and 'knowing your baggage' is key.

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