"We cannot imagine any happier life than that of a good priest," writes the Bishop of Southwark in a pastoral letter-read in the churches on Sunday urging his people to pray for more vocations.
The work of the diocese is being hampered by a shortage of priests, says Mgr. Cowderoy. and he has been compelled to withdraw curates from certain parishes in order to place,thern where the need is more urgent.
At the same time "we are most anxious to give chaplains to the Forces as soon as possible, for we know how urgent is that need."
Yet " there is also the difficulty of providing facilities for Mass and the sacraments in places where new needs have arisen or increased," and the clergy are -hampered by many restrictions.
The Bishop says a special word to encourage his priests to engage in the work of the Catholic Evidence Guild.