Bishops launch national vocations office

The National Office for Vocation has been launched by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales. Catholic Communications Services issued the following statement this morning: On top of promoting specific vocations (marriage and single life, diocesan priesthood, permanent diaconate and consecrated life), the Office aims to build a culture of vocation in the Church in England and Wales and to strengthen the link between vocation and evangelisation. Fr Kevin Dring - formerly Bishop's Secretary and Vocations Director in the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton - is the first Director of the National Office and will work alongside a committee representing all vocations within the Church. Fr Dring said: "Very often people think only of priesthood and consecrated life when we hear the word 'vocation'. I look forward to the opportunity to work alongside many others in promoting a stronger sense of the calling of every member of the Church. It can only be from this deeper sense shared by us all that particular vocations will emerge to nourish and support the life of the community." Welcoming Fr Dring's appointment, Archbishop Vincent Nichols - Chairman of the Bishops' Conference's Department of Catholic Education and Formation - said: "The establishment of this National Office for Vocation was a dream cherished by the late Cardinal Hume. He was so aware that God always calls his people to great things, but that to some extent we were not heeding the call as we should. "Today we rejoice in a new venture in the Church and one that will bear much fruit. The Office for Vocation will work with every diocese bringing encouragement and sharing of resources to a vital and challenging task." The National Office for Vocation is based at The Chase Centre, 114 West Heath Road, London NW3 7TX. Phone/fax: 020 8458 6017. Email: vocation@nationaloffice.freeserve.co.uk source: CMS