IRELAND
Herald
23 September 2015
For two decades now Catholic bishops have been warning about the vocational crisis in the church. The dwindling number of priests in the ministry is now so acute that the centuries-old tradition of the revered Sunday Mass in many rural parishes is now in danger.
In many parishes, especially in rural areas, only one Mass is now celebrated on a Sunday. The norm used to be at least three
This acute shortage of priests has led to the virtual closure of some churches and the growing practice of two or three parishes sharing a priest.
Many priests are now in their 60s and 70s and are being asked by their bishops to carry on their pastoral work beyond their retirement age.
It is an extraordinary situation for a traditionally Catholic country that has helped spread the Gospel across the globe in years gone past. Now that missionary role is being reversed in a novel way.
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