This article is from page 19 of the 2006-07-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 19 JPG
THE Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh said yesterday that the diocese was a long way from not having enough priests to perform the sacraments and say Masses.
Figures released by the diocese last week show that there are currently 23 priests of the diocese that are over 75, and there are 45 priests between the age of 55 and 75.
In all, there are 126 diocesan priests with 100 of those involved in full-time parish ministry.
“At the moment, the age profile is getting higher all the time, while the numbers in the seminary not sufficient to replace those priests – that is the reality that we have to face, but we are still a long way from the situation where there won’t be enough masses for people.
“There are sufficient priests to carry out all the tasks, but more and more we are inviting lay people in responsibility.”
Dr Walsh said that team ministry of Imeall Boirne, where there were a number of priests working across a number of parishes on the fringe of the Burren, was working very well.
“It has been received very well by the people there and I would hope that it would take place elsewhere. We don’t have a timescale in place and I’m not putting it down as the only model for the way forward.”
Dr Walsh pointed out that priests from the west Clare area met every Thursday for prayer and reflection.
“The whole pattern of life in rural areas has changed over 40 years and with the whole thing of priests working on their own, it is very important that they don’t become isolated, because it is very easy for that to happen.”
Dr Walsh said that he quite satisfied with the current morale of priests.
“There is no doubt about it, the Church has taken a battering in recent years and there is not doubt that many priests are saddened by scandal and the revelation of scandals.
“Nationally, priests have taken a battering, sometimes fair and sometimes very unfair. But people at local level, people have never been so supportive.”