SINGAPORE (UCAN) -- Dwindling vocations, the high price of land and the impending resignation of their archbishop highlighted a priests' forum on "The Hopes and Fears for the Singapore Church in the Third Millennium."

Archbishop Gregory Yong Sooi Ngean of Singapore told 70 priests three days before turning 75 that he is tendering his resignation.

Adding to the pastoral issues being discussed, he said that he would invite archdiocesan clergy to name candidates they consider as a suitable successor.

He qualified, however, that before the appointment of a new archbishop Pope John Paul II has to accept his resignation.

According to Archbishop Yong, the Church in Singapore is facing several uncertainties. He noted, for example, that there have been no new local applicants to the seminary for the past three years.

The lack of vocations and the impending retirement of elderly priests might result in younger priests suffering from burnout because of increased workloads, priests said during the meeting.

In light of this, Father Erbin Fernandez, speaking on behalf of young priests, urged for greater lay participation in the running of parishes. He recommended giving lay staff, especially those working full-time, just wages.

According to him, there is a need for the Church to cater to intellectuals and professionals, whose numbers are growing among local Catholics.

"Will our Church go the way of the Western Church where less and less are attending Mass and living their faith actively and seriously?" he asked.

He also cited the importance of dialogue between the bishop and priests, especially concerning discernment, formation and transfers.

During the consultation, Archbishop Yong also cited the rising cost of Church land as an area of concern. The cost of a new parish church, he said, would be between S$6million (about US$3.5) and S$8 million for land alone.

He also noted that lease periods for land have been substantially shortened from 60 and 90 years to 30 years.

The May 17 gathering at the St. Francis Xavier Retreat Centre commemorated the annual World Day for Sanctification of Priests celebrated on May 18, the birthday of Pope John Paul.

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