Catholic Online Forum

Speaking after a Mass celebrating the start of the young men's studies for the priesthood, Msgr Randazzo said they came from a range of backgrounds and ages.

He also noted that the new seminarians had brought numbers at the seminary to 32 - its full capacity.

"Jacob Saal, from Toowoomba, at 18 is the youngest and Emene Kelemete, from Townsville, at 33 is the oldest," he said.

"Jacob is a student and fast-food chef and Emene a carpenter.

"Adalbert Imperial is a doctor, Josh Whitehead has been a soldier, boilermaker and personal trainer, and Tom Duncan is an apprentice upholsterer."

"At the seminary we have adoration every Thursday at 5pm where we pray for vocations during a holy hour," he said.

"We would ask the Catholic people of Queensland to join us wherever they might be at this time to pray for vocations.

Nice to read good news.

Catholic leaders in Australia insist abuse scandals in the church have done nothing to deter young men from joining the priesthood.

Following a slump in the 1980s and 1990s, there has been a sharp rise in the number of trainees.

In the past five years, seminary enrolments in Australia have risen from about 235 a year in 2007 to 350 in 2012.

Queensland rector Monsignor Tony Randazzo says his seminary is busier than it has been for two decades.

"It's indicative that young people are coming forward enthusiastically to give themselves for a life in service in the church," he said.