A WARNING that the priesthood "is not for those who are seeking an escape from the temptations and stresses of life," was issued by Mgr. S. J. Mullarkey, Vicar Capitular of the Portsmouth Diocese, in a pastoral letter read in all churches in the diocese on Sunday.
The priesthood, he said, offered a challenge to a man "to live in the turmoil of the material world, with an awareness and understanding of all kinds of temptations combined with a resulting sympathy for even the most degenerate of mankind — yet maintaining all through his life a detachment from even the most natural of human relationships".
Mgr. Mullarkey, who asked for prayers for vocations, said there were signs of a slight increase in the number of young men offering themselves for the priesthood in the diocese in future years.
He paid tribute to the 30 priests of religious orders engaged in full-time parish work within the diocese. and others who on top of their teaching work in schools helped out in parishes at weekends.
"One hopes that more and more good laymen and women will take a prominent part in moulding the mind and work of the church in years to come. But an apostolic laity will never supplant the need of good priests — quite the reverse."
MISS MARY EDGLEY, who has been a member of the Catholic Teachers' Federation Council for 25 years, Is to be next year's president. She was born In Paris, but has spent most of her teaching career In London and is now assistant mistress at the Sacred Heart secondary school, Camberwell.
For 33 years Miss Edgley has been a member of the 1,000strong Metropolitan Catholic Teachers' Association and was president from 1938 to 1943.
She was a member of the organising committee for the World Union of Catholic Teachers Congress in London in 1963. and in recognition was awarded the papal cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice.
Miss Edgley succeeds as president Mr. John Doyle, headmaster at All Hallows School, Farnham, Surrey.